The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development has said that it requires the Egyptian government not to make any changes to the subsidized bread system to grant the country a $500 million loan. Negotiations between the IBRD, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Supply and Foreign Trade regarding a loan to support wheat began in March.

According to Minister of Supply and Foreign Trade Ali Moselhi, the loan, which aims to enhance Egypt’s resilience to food crises, has a significant grace period. Among the objectives of the loan is the purchase of wheat, the construction of new silos, and the improvement of wheat production.