Egypt’s sugar sector achieves major leap towards self-sufficiency

Dr Mostafa Abdel Gawad, Chairman of the Sugar Crops Council at the Ministry of Agriculture, has confirmed that Egypt is experiencing a significant breakthrough in achieving self-sufficiency in sugar, which is one of the country’s key strategic crops. This is reported by Sada El-Balad, a partner of TV BRICS.

He explained that the government has been keen to boost the cultivation of sugar crops, having recently increased the area planted with sugar beet by 150,000 feddans (630 million square metres). This expansion has led to a substantial rise in sugar production from beet, which grew from 1.5 million tonnes to 2.5 million tonnes.

Abdel Gawad noted that sugar cane production amounts to approximately 600,000 tonnes. This brings total domestic sugar production close to 3.1 million tonnes. According to him, this increase is the result of the state’s focus on supporting farmers and developing the industrial sugar farming system, thereby enhancing the ability to meet local market demands more effectively.

He also emphasised that these measures represent a qualitative leap in the development of Egypt’s agricultural sector. They contribute directly to achieving food security and strengthening the national economy. Furthermore, this progress reduces the country’s dependence on sugar imports, ensuring a more stable supply for the local market.