Egypt has one of the highest wheat per capita consumption levels in the world (180 kg). Total consumption of wheat in 2005/2006 is estimated at 13.9 million tons, including nearly 7 million tons of imported wheat. 

In 2005/06, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (GASC) purchased 3.65 million tons of imported wheat and 2.5 million tons of locally produced wheat to produce 82 percent extraction flour used to make subsidized “baladi” bread. 

The subsidy on “baladi” bread cost the government close to LE 3.8 billion last year. The private sector imports about 2 million tons of wheat annually, which is used more in the production of high quality flat bread and European type bread, pastries and pasta. Most of the domestic wheat crop is sold directly to consumers or retained by farmers for on-farm consumption.