Egypt’s Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Sherif Farouk, met representatives of the General Division of Bakeries and the Chamber of Grain Industry on 4 October 2026 to discuss the unsubsidized flour, unsubsidized bread and fino-bread markets. This was the sides’ second weekly meeting in succession. The discussion was part of monitoring bakeries’ production inputs and needs so production could continue regularly. The ministry said it would hold at least monthly meetings with the representatives to follow market developments, wheat and unsubsidized flour availability, and the requirements of bakeries, mills and the grain supply chain.

The meeting considered the needs of bakeries using free-market flour as well as food manufacturers that depend on that flour, including pasta, baked goods and confectionery producers. The ministry said participants agreed to make wheat available periodically through the commodity exchange for unsubsidized flour production, in line with market needs and demand. It said the arrangement was intended to support the availability of production inputs and regular supplies. The statement did not specify the volume to be offered, a first sale date, tender terms or a price. It therefore announced neither a quantified wheat allocation nor a price change.

Farouk said the ministry would continue reviewing production-cost inputs for unsubsidized bread and fino with the relevant authorities as market conditions and input prices change. The ministry also said that prices and weights set under Ministerial Directive No. 5 of 2026 remain in force for all free and foreign-style bakeries. Inspection campaigns are to continue checking compliance and addressing violations or unjustified price increases. The release did not publish a new price or weight schedule.

The free-market meeting was separate from the ministry’s daily oversight of the subsidized-bread system, which the same statement described as continuing in parallel. It announced no change to the subsidy programme. Instead, it addressed wheat, flour and other inputs for unsubsidized bread and fino production, together with existing rules for their prices and weights. The ministry said it would also continue monitoring milling, production and operating supplies in the subsidized-bread system. The commodity-exchange decision concerns periodic wheat availability in response to unsubsidized flour demand; the official account gives no new contract volume, price or implementation timetable.