Egypt has contracted for the import of 420,000 tons of sugar in coordination with the military in the "past few days" and will seek to import another 200,000 tons in the coming week, the government said.
"The Supply Ministry, in coordination with the National Service Products Organization, has contracted to import 420,000 tons of sugar in the past few days in addition to contracting this week to import an additional 200,000 tons of sugar," the government said in a statement.
The National Service Products Organization is part of the Defense Ministry. It manufactures military and civilian products and provides contracting services.
State grain buyer GASC is seeking 100,000 tons of raw sugar and traders said on Saturday it received two offers, both for 50,000 tons.
Egypt said last week that it plans to build a six-month reserve of essential food items, adding to other recent purchases of commodities such as oil and wheat.
Traders said the move was aimed at building up stocks ahead of a currency devaluation. GASC announced three separate tenders in the space of one day on Tuesday for wheat, vegetable oils and sugar.
The Supply Ministry will also hold an international tender for rice with a minimum of 500,000 tons, the government said on Saturday. GASC has not announced any international tenders for rice yet.
Egypt Independent
11 October
Egypt has contracted to import 420,000 tons of sugar, seeks 200,000 more
Egypt Independent
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