The Egyptian government announced the continuation of the ban on the export of rice abroad in order to secure the needs of the local market, while tightening control over the ports. He stressed that local production of rice covers the needs of citizens throughout the year. Private mills were allowed to participate in the rice supply process which resulted in an increase in the proceeds of rice supplied by farmers for the benefit of the Supply Commodities Authority, he said. The proceeds of rice supply so far amounted to 140,000 tons of rice, since the beginning of the harvest season, which continues until the middle of the December, he pointed out. The number of private mills participating in rice supply amounted to 65 percent of the number of the total mills in the country, which contributed to an increase in supply.
