Egypt: Rejecting Cargoes of Wheat *Update*
Egypt’s agriculture ministry is enforcing new strict limits on wheat cargoes that contain the ergot fungus.
27 September 2016
It has been reported that the Egyptian authorities have revised their zero tolerance approach to wheat imports with regard to the ergot fungus. The reversal restores the 2010 standards which applies a 0.05% tolerance level. It is understood that the government have appointed SGS to carry out inspections on wheat cargoes.
8 September 2016
Correspondents MESCO have reported that a number of wheat cargoes have been rejected by Egyptian authorities due to the presence of the ergot fungus.
Egypt’s agricultural ministry issued a decree on 22 August 2016 announcing the prohibition of the import of wheats that are affected by the ergot fungus with zero percent tolerance.
North understands that affected vessels have experienced delays. Members may wish to consider the terms of their charterparty in order to protect their position in case delays are encountered.
5 February 2016
The ministry of supply and the main state buyer, The General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), maintain that imports of wheat may contain up to a 0.05 percent level of ergot, a common international standard, while the agriculture ministry is insisting on a new zero tolerance approach.
This new approach by the agriculture ministry has meant that some vessels carrying wheat have experienced delays discharging in Egypt.