The largest buyers of wheat: Egypt, Turkey

Nov. 13, 2025 472 views

Between 2023 and 2025, Egypt and Turkey do rank prominently among wheat importers.

In the second half of the 2020s, the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) continue to occupy key positions in the global system of procurement of grain, and in particular wheat. Among them are two countries – Egypt and Turkey. While it is often stated that they are “the largest buyers of wheat from 2023 to 2025”, it is more correct to say that they are two of the leading importers of wheat in this period, with different trends, motivations and external challenges.

General situation in the world wheat market

The global wheat market is currently under increased pressure for a number of reasons:

Decreased production in some regions due to weather conditions, wars and logistical constraints
Increased import demand in countries with poor harvests and/or high consumption
increasing the share of wheat processing in the food direction (flour, bread, food);
The impact of exchange rates, logistics, inventories and geopolitics on procurement decisions.

According to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for May 2025, for example, Egypt is projected as one of the largest importers: 12.5 million tons in the marketing year 2024/25.
For Turkey, the report indicates imports of about 3.5 million tons in the same year (2024/25) with growth to 7.5 million tons in 2025/26 in forecasts.
There is also data that Egypt in the first half of the year 2024/25 has already purchased about 5.3 million tons of Russian wheat.

Thus, while the statement of “biggest buyers” requires clarification – yes, Egypt is on the list of leaders, Turkey is a significant player, but inferior to some other countries in terms of volume. Below is a detailed analysis of each of the two countries.

Egypt: procurement, motives and factors

Volume and dynamics

In 2023, Egypt imported about 11 million tons of wheat.
In 2024, there were reports that imports rose to ~14 million tons (an increase of about +40% yoy).
According to the forecast for the marketing year 2024/25 - about 12.5 million tons.
For the marketing year 2025/26, ~13 million tons are forecast.
As for the purchase of Russian wheat, Egypt took the first place among importers of Russian wheat in 2024/25, with a volume of 8.61 million tons.

Reasons for the high level of imports

Egypt is one of the countries with high per capita wheat consumption, some of which is used to produce subsidized bread.
The wheat harvest in Egypt does not cover domestic demand, so the country depends on external supplies. For example, the population is ~100 million people, wheat consumption is about 20-21 million tons per year.
Securing strategic stocks: the presence of an import protocol allows the accumulation of grain as a security buffer.
Source Diversification – Egypt is actively buying Russian wheat, giving it relative flexibility.

Features and challenges

Currency and import controls: Purchase of imported goods requires sufficient security of currency. Egypt notes that the availability of foreign exchange increases purchases.
Logistics and storage: Storing a large volume of imports requires infrastructure – silos, ports, transport.
Pricing: With the growth of world wheat prices and currency instability, the increase in the cost of imports is reflected in the domestic market (for example, the price of bread is one of the key social instruments).
Competition for supplies: Egypt has to compete in the world market for grain when many countries are looking to increase imports or stocks.

Turkey: Procurement, motives and factors

Volume and dynamics

According to USDA data for the 2024/25 marketing year, Turkey’s imports were estimated at ~3.5 million tons.
The forecast for 2025/26 for Turkey is ~7.5 million tons.
The Atlas of Food report notes that Turkey has banned wheat imports since June 21, 2024, which has reduced volumes.
It is also indicated that Turkey imported ~3.21 million tons in the Russian wheat market in 2024/25 (and the previous season was ~6.44 million tons) with a sharp drop.

Causes and context

Turkey, a country with a large agricultural sector, produces a significant amount of wheat, which gives it some independence.
To protect the domestic producer, Turkey has imposed restrictions on wheat imports to support prices and the domestic economy.
Imports are still required for the processing and export of wheat products (flour, bakery products), as well as during periods when the domestic harvest is less than needed.

Features and challenges

Import restrictions: A ban or quota on wheat imports complicates supply and can lead to higher prices in the domestic market and/or a shortage of raw materials for processing.
Processing and export: Turkey emerges not just as a buyer of raw materials, but also as a processor and exporter of wheat flour, which affects its purchasing strategy.
Geopolitics and logistics: As Turkey acts as a bridge between Europe/Asia and the Middle East, logistics costs and regional dependencies can influence procurement.

Comparative analysis of the two countries

Parameter	Egypt	Turkey
Volume of imports (2023-25)	~11 million tons (2023); ~12.5 million tons (2024/25 forecast)	~3.5 million tons (2024/25); ~7.5 million tons (2025/26 forecast)
Import dependency	Very high – domestic production covers a small part of demand	Moderate - has its own production, imports are facilitated according to need n
The main motivation of imports	Coverage of internal deficit, grain program, strategic reserves	Processing and export, support of own production, market balance
Risks.	Currency, global prices, storage, logistics	Import restrictions, domestic market, competition
Trend.	Growth in imports	Falling purchases of raw materials + moving to processing and export

The table shows that although both countries buy large volumes of wheat, their positions and motivations differ significantly. Egypt is a classic major importer, Turkey is a more balanced player with domestic production and a focus on recycling.

Why it is important to track purchases by Egypt and Turkey

For the world market

These countries represent a significant demand for wheat and affect global prices: rising imports from Egypt are adding pressure on supplies, especially because of the Black Sea region.
Turkey, while importing less, is involved in the procurement, processing and transformation of raw materials, which affects the supply chain.

For exporting countries

Wheat exporters (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc.) should take into account the purchasing strategy of large buyers in order to plan supply volumes and marketing.
For example, Egypt’s purchases of Russian wheat (8.61 million tons in 2024/25) show how a large importer is concentrating on a single source.

For risk analysis and food security

Countries like Egypt’s dependence on imports makes them vulnerable to price and logistics shocks.
Turkey’s import restrictions show how policies can change its purchasing strategy and, as a result, its demand structure.

Between 2023 and 2025, Egypt and Turkey do rank prominently among wheat importers. However, it is important to understand that the “biggest buyer” is a relative category, and there are different economic, production and political prerequisites behind it.

Egypt is a classic large importer, seeking to cover domestic demand for bread and food products at the expense of the foreign market.

Turkey is a country with a developed agriculture, but also with the need to import and process wheat with an actively changing policy. Their purchases affect global wheat supply chains and are indicators of the larger picture of the global grain market.