Sunday 23 Feb
Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, visited the Qous Sugar Factory and the Qena Paper Industry Company in Qena Governorate to assess sugarcane processing and production efficiency.
Accompanied by Dr. Alaa Nagi, Chairman of the Holding Company for Food Industries, and local officials, Dr. Farouk emphasized the sugar industry's strategic importance to Egypt. He reiterated the government's commitment to supporting farmers through fair crop prices and streamlined production.
Dr. Farouk highlighted Egypt's robust strategic reserves,
with basic commodity stocks exceeding six months and subsidized sugar reserves
surpassing 12 months, ensuring food stability and price control. He reported
that the Sugar and Integrated Industries Company has processed 2,637,000 tons
of sugarcane, producing approximately 275,000 tons of white sugar.
The Qous Sugar Factory, capable of processing 12,000 tons of
sugarcane daily, is a key production site. Dr. Farouk also inspected the
adjacent 110-acre paper factory, which utilizes bagasse (sugarcane pulp) as its
primary raw material.
He stressed the importance of maximizing sugarcane
by-product utilization, such as bagasse, for paper and animal feed production,
to enhance economic benefits.
Dr. Farouk outlined a nationwide modernization plan for
sugar factories, focusing on machinery upgrades, efficiency improvements, and
advanced technologies to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce imports.
He concluded by praising the factory workers' dedication and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting the sugar industry's development, ensuring market stability, and serving the public.
