Cairo: Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouq affirmed on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, that the government has taken immediate measures to ensure market stability and the uninterrupted availability of essential goods for citizens, while fully maintaining the subsidy system without imposing additional costs on consumers.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Farouq stated that the ministry monitors developments in real time through a central operations room at its headquarters, operating 24/7 in coordination with local supply directorates across the governorates. This system tracks the movement of goods, the availability of petroleum products, and the smooth functioning of distribution networks, ensuring consistent supply to citizens.
The minister emphasized that the price of subsidized Baladi bread on ration cards will remain at 20 piasters per loaf, with the state absorbing the additional production costs resulting from recent diesel price hikes for bakeries that use diesel. The government's expenditure to offset the fuel price increase is estimated at EGP 1.6 billion annually, or roughly EGP 134 million per month, covered by the General Authority for Supply Commodities, to maintain the subsidized bread system at its current price.
Farouq confirmed that prices of other subsidized goods distributed through ration cards at supply outlets and consumer complexes will also remain stable, with continuous distribution to ensure citizens' access to basic necessities. The ministry has activated a central operations room to monitor petroleum product inventories at fuel stations and LPG warehouses in real time.
Supply directorates have been instructed to intensify field inspections, conduct stock audits, and ensure smooth distribution and compliance with official prices. The minister further directed regulatory authorities to step up inspection campaigns across markets, tourist bakeries, and food outlets, to prevent unjustified price increases in response to rising fuel costs, in coordination with the Supply Investigation Department, Consumer Protection Agency, and other relevant bodies.
Farouq stressed that the ministry will take strict legal action against any violations and will continue daily market monitoring to guarantee price stability and uninterrupted supply of goods across all governorates.