Egypt releases disputed wheat cargoes: state media

Egypt has released two wheat cargoes from the port of Safaga, according to state media, ending an impasse over what they claimed were cargoes that were contaminated with poppy seeds.

State media quoted Egypt’s Minister for Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi as saying that a cargo of Romanian wheat and a cargo of French wheat have been released and added to stocks.

Egypt agriculture quarantine service rejected the cargoes at the end of the summer over claims they were contaminated, triggering fears that Egypt might default on future cargoes of wheat.Importing around 7 million mt, Egypt is the world’s biggest importer of wheat and has been paying significant risk premiums of around $10-15/mt.

Its main supplier since the summer has been Russian producers.