EGYPT – In response to a growing shortage of sugar in the market, the Egyptian Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has announced an increase in the rations of subsidized sugar distributed to families.
This move, detailed in a Cabinet statement on Thursday, aims to alleviate concerns over the scarcity of sugar and ensure continued access for citizens.
According to the statement, the ministry has raised the amounts of subsidized sugar distributed through ration cards, which cater to different family sizes.
Families with up to three individuals will now receive an additional one kilogram of sugar, while those with four individuals or more will see a more substantial increase of 2 kilograms.
The distribution effort is coordinated by the Holding Company for Food Industries (HCFI), an entity affiliated with the supply ministry.
The HCFI has been tasked with distributing 30,000 tons of unsubsidized sugar and approximately 65,000 tons of subsidized sugar through a network of 40,000 outlets.
Ahmed Kamal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Supply, disclosed that the HCFI is supplying up to 10,000 tons of sugar on a daily basis to meet the increased demand.
It’s important to note that the supply ministry traditionally provides one kilogram of subsidized sugar per individual per month on ration cards, with a maximum limit of six kilograms per card.
Last week, the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Ali Moselhi, urged citizens not to purchase sugar for more than EGP 27 (US$0.864) per kilogram, assuring the public that the current crisis would be resolved in the coming month.
The recent surge in sugar prices has raised concerns, prompting vendors and food and beverage companies to stockpile their inventory. The Ministry of Supply reports that Egypt’s annual sugar production stands at 2.8 million tons, while the nation’s consumption is approximately 3.2 million tons.
As the government takes proactive measures to address the sugar shortage, the increase in subsidized sugar rations is a step towards stabilizing the market and ensuring that citizens have access to this essential commodity.
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