Naeem al-Maksousi said local wheat purchases could reach 4 million tonnes by the end of the season in August and imports from the beginning of the year amounted to 400,000 tonnes, which would be enough for consumption until the end of the year.

He told Reuters this would "be enough until the end of the year".

"We will continue to purchase globally though for our reserves," he said.

Maksousi also said the grain board bought 700,000 tonnes of rice this year.