Egyptian farmers produced about 7.5 million tonnes of wheat in the season just ended, about the same as last year, the government said on Thursday. Farmers planted 2.7 million acres (1.1 million hectares) with wheat and the average yield was 2.78 tonnes an acre. Last year the acreage was higher at 3 million but the yield was lower at 2.55 tonnes an acre, it said in a statement.
Farmers sold only 1.8 million tonnes to the government, compared to 2.7 million tonnes last year, because of competition from private-sector traders who offered better prices, it said.
The government fixed prices in September 2006 at between 170 and 180. The government's main wheat importer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) has imported a further 1.9 million tonnes, giving it stocks of 3.7 million tonnes, enough to meet the authority's needs for the next six months, it added.
GASC ensures the supply of subsidised wheat to feed millions of poor Egyptians living in towns and cities. Domestic production covers about half of the country's needs and Egypt is one of the world's biggest wheat importers. The government released the statement after several opposition newspapers said stocks of wheat were running low.
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