FAO Investment Centre

Sharing knowledge, strengthening food security in MENA amongst Tunisian and Egyptian grain importers

Tunisian and Egyptian grain importers sharing expertise on modernizing and expanding grain storage capacity.

©FAO

21/01/2025

An impactful knowledge-exchange mission in November 2024 united Tunisian and Egyptian grain importers for a week, to share expertise on modernizing and expanding grain storage capacity.

Hosted by the Egyptian Holding Company for Silos and Storage (EHCSS) and organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the exchange explored investment strategies crucial for regional food security.

“Grains are food staples for both Egyptian and Tunisian diets. Their lack of supply would create food insecurity for large parts of the population across the region. Safe and efficient grain import handling with modern storage facilities are critical factors for ensuring efficiency across the supply chain,” said Mr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.

The high-level Tunisian delegation from the Office des Céréales (ODC) took part in discussions and site visits across Egypt, focusing on innovations in grain silo construction, maintenance, and operation.

The mission provided an opportunity to exchange experience in grain handling and storage practices, with visits to both modern and renovated storage sites and facilities in Hihya (Al-Sharqia Governorate) and the Port of Damietta. 


Visits to storage sites and facilities in Hihya (Al-Sharqia Governorate) and the Port of Damietta. © FAO

Regional efforts to improve efficiency

Middle East and North African (MENA) countries spent around USD 10.8 billion on wheat imports in 2022 alone.

Given the scale of these operations and the region's vulnerability to global supply shocks, improving grain import efficiency and storage capacity is paramount.

The event was an opportunity to exchange technical and practical know-how with counterparts in Egypt and to learn from EHCSS’ past and ongoing experience in directing investments in silos construction and renovation.

The inland facility in Hihya demonstrated the benefits of new steel silos, which feature advanced digital monitoring controls and on-site laboratory inspection equipment.

The visit to the Port of Damietta showcased older concrete silos alongside newly constructed steel ones, illustrating the need to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure.

“As we prepare to launch projects to build new grain storage facilities and rehabilitate our silos in Tunisia, we are interested to look towards shared experience across the region,” said Nabil Zarrouk, Deputy Director General of the ODC. “This exchange in Egypt was an opportunity to brainstorm strategies in grain silo construction and discuss effective grain storage and handling to improve overall performance of the sector.” 

Building capacity for food security

Participants dived into the technical details of grain storage operations. Discussions covered critical topics like waste product utilization, safe facility operations, and investment considerations for new silos.

As Tunisia and Egypt work to bolster their grain storage infrastructure to boost food security for their populations, this exchange is vital.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional food security. In January 2023, FAO and EBRD launched a technical assistance package to support the MENA region’s grain sector. The package aims to improve market transparency and food security policies, boost the efficiency of grain tenders and risk management, and promote sustainable local production.

EBRD is also supporting Tunisia through a sovereign-guaranteed loan to the ODC for wheat imports. In cooperation with FAO, ongoing EBRD assistance aims to improve efficiency and resilience in the grain sector and to facilitate dialogue through avenues likely to support it.

“Addressing current structural weaknesses of the grain sector in Tunisia by seeking improvements to operational efficiency through effective investments would help shape the sector towards the gradual liberalization of grain imports,” explained Iride Ceccacci, Associate Director, Head of Agribusiness Advisory at the EBRD. “Enabling communication and technical training for regional grain market actors fosters cooperation and reduces risks in the sector.”

Critical investment in food security

For both Egypt and Tunisia – where governments play a central role in grain imports – expanding and modernizing storage capacity is not just a matter of infrastructure, it's a matter of national food security Investments in efficient storage systems are vital to ensure stable supplies.

By fostering collaboration and sharing technical expertise, this event was an important step toward more resilient and efficient grain supply chains in the region.

With strategic investments and continued cooperation, countries like Egypt and Tunisia can better navigate global market fluctuations and secure their populations’ food needs.

Next steps

The momentum continues this end of January with a joint Tunisian and Egyptian delegation visiting Italy’s main grain importing ports of Ravenna and Bari, as well as inland grain storage sites. The participants will benefit from a further look at grain handling at ports and modern and efficient inland storage infrastructure.