On 3 June 2020, the Ministry of Trade and Industry coordinating with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade issued decree No. 259 of 2020 that imposes three months import ban on white and Raw Sugar. Previously to this regulation, the importation of sugar was not restricted.

The decree excludes the quantities imported as a key input in pharmaceutical industries, and approval is required from the Ministry of Health and Population.

The objective of decree No. 259 is to protect the national industry from global prices fluctuations. In this context, The Minister of Trade and Industry stated in Egypt's State Information Service (SIS)'s press release: "The decree gives a chance to the sugar industry to recover from the damage caused by the decrease in global prices on the back of the pandemic crisis." 

Update: 

On 3 September 2020, the Ministry of Trade and Industry issued decree no. 420 of 2020 that extends the import ban on white and raw sugar for an additional period of three months. 

In this context, the Minister of Trade and Industry Neveen Gamae said: "The decision aims to protect local industry from the volatile changes in global sugar prices especially raw sugar." 

Update:

On 3 December 2020, the Ministry of Trade and Industry issued decree no. 606 of 2020 that extends the import ban on white and raw sugar for an additional period of three months.

In this context, the Minister of Trade and Industry Neveen Gamae said: "The move is in full coordination with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and aims to tighten control over imported products, especially in light of the precautionary measures adopted by the Egyptian government to combat the novel coronavirus."

Update:

On 4 March 2021, the Ministry of Trade and Industry issued decree no. 117 of 2021 that extends the import ban on white and raw sugar for an additional period of three months.