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Dr. Abdel Moneim El-Sayed, Director of the Cairo Center for Economic Studies, affirmed that past experiences have demonstrated the Egyptian state's ability to navigate economic crises and provide basic commodities to citizens. He cited the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Russo-Ukrainian War that broke out in 2022, along with the accompanying concerns regarding the availability of food products and surging demand rates. During an interview with media host Mohamed Mostafa Sherdy on the Al-Hayah Al-Youm program broadcast on Al-Hayah TV, El-Sayed explained that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a noticeable surge in citizens purchasing and stockpiling essential goods—such as rice, sugar, and cooking oil—in anticipation of potential supply shortages. However, these products remained available in the markets, with stocks continuously replenished to meet consumer needs. He added that during that period, the state was keen to reassure citizens regarding the availability of food supplies and that there was no need to hoard large quantities, given the uninterrupted supply and distribution operations. The Russo-Ukrainian War and the Test of Securing Food Supplies The Director of the Cairo Center for Economic Studies noted that the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022 raised new concerns about food security, particularly since Egypt relied on importing large quantities of commodities from both countries, foremost among them wheat, corn, barley, and oils. He explained that Egyptian markets continued to provide these products despite the disruptions witnessed in global trade and supply chains, a resilience linked to the state’s efforts in advance planning and securing local market needs. Silos and Strategic Reserves Bolster Food Security El-Sayed pointed out that securing strategic reserves of basic commodities—such as sugar, tea, rice, pasta, and wheat—contributed to strengthening the state's capacity to confront crises and mitigate the risks of supply shortages. He added that expanding the construction of silos and increasing storage capacities helped raise the efficiency of the grain storage system and secure market needs for longer periods, thereby supporting the stable availability of essential goods in the face of external fluctuations and crises. He concluded by emphasizing that drawing lessons from past experiences and proactive planning represent two fundamental elements in enhancing food security and addressing the challenges posed by global economic and geopolitical developments.
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