Egypt says local wheat purchases 750,000 tonnes so far -minister

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's supplies minister said on Friday that Egypt had procured about 750,000 tonnes of local wheat since the current season began in mid-April. Khaled Hanafi said in a statement that Egypt expects to take in around 3.7 million tonnes of local wheat, which will allow it to ensure strategic reserves until the beginning of October. He said that the season for local wheat purchases ends in mid-July. The state grain buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), said on Thursday it had procured around 700,000 tonnes of local wheat since the current season began. Egypt has said it has allocated 10 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.31 billion) for the procurement of up to 3.7 million tonnes of local wheat.