Egypt takes steps to increase red meat supply, maintain prices

EGYPT – Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently convened a high-level meeting to evaluate ongoing plans aimed at stabilising red meat prices and boosting its availability in local markets.

The meeting brought together key officials including Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa El-Din Farouk, Deputy Agriculture Minister Mostafa El-Sayyad, and representatives from the Central Bank, the Armed Forces’ National Service Projects Organisation (NSPO), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Madbouly said the initiative follows continuous directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to ensure that basic commodities, including meat, remain sufficiently stocked across the country.

He noted that securing consistent supply is central to keeping market prices stable, adding that the expansion of temporary “one-day” markets had already helped ease price pressure in many areas.

Plans to Expand Slaughterhouses and Sales Outlets

During the meeting, the agriculture minister outlined measures his ministry is taking to increase the meat supply, such as expanding the number of authorised quarries and slaughterhouses in key regions.

He also said that fixed and mobile outlets operated by the ministry across various governorates are being stocked with meat and other food items sold at reduced prices.

Farouk added that there is strong demand for fresh local meat, especially in the lead-up to Eid al-Adha, and the ministry aims to meet this demand by distributing more meat through its outlets at affordable rates.

He estimated Egypt’s total annual red meat requirement to be around one million tonnes, with domestic production covering roughly 600,000 tonnes and the remaining 400,000 tonnes filled through imports.

Diversifying Import Sources

The agriculture ministry is also working to support private sector involvement in the importation of live animals and meat, while continuing efforts to strengthen local production.

Deputy Minister Mostafa El-Sayyad told the meeting that Egypt is actively looking to source meat from a wider range of countries, particularly in Africa, to reduce reliance on a few key exporters.

He said several nearby African nations have been identified as potential partners due to their capacity and proximity, offering logistical and cost advantages.

No official cost breakdown was shared, but previous government import estimates place red meat import values between US$1 billion and US$1.5 billion.

The discussions come as part of broader preparations for the upcoming holiday season and rising consumer demand for meat products.

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