The shortfall comes as Egypt, often the world's largest wheat importer, seeks to secure affordable supplies for a vast subsidised bread programme that feeds nearly 70 million people, amid high inflation and ongoing economic strains.

The government had aimed to procure between 4 and 5 million metric tons of wheat from a local harvest it estimated at around 10 million tons. The season, which started mid-April, officially runs through mid-August.

However, as of Saturday, June 28, just over 3.9 million tons had been collected, according to a second, separate official document reviewed by Reuters.

In recent days, the supply ministry has started gradually closing some collection points across the country, citing low volumes being delivered by farmers, according to the first document.

Centres that remain open will also be closed if they don't receive wheat for 3-5 consecutive days, according to official documents, the document said.

--Reuters--