The local procurement season runs until July and the ministry has said it is targeting between 3.5 million and 4 million tonnes of local wheat this year.

Egypt uses around 9.5 million tonnes of wheat to make its subsidised bread - about 4 million tonnes from the local harvest and 5.5 million tonnes from imports.

The supply ministry has said it plans to continue making international purchases this year during the local buying season to boost the country's strategic reserves.