Committee to Classify Food Industries by Water Consumption
Authorities are studying water neutrality measures as Egypt faces a widening water gap.
The Egyptian Cabinet formed an interministerial committee to classify food products and food industry projects according to their water consumption, using a water footprint framework aimed at supporting resource management amid growing water scarcity.
The committee brings together the ministries of Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture, Industry, and Supply and Internal Trade.
Its mandate includes establishing product and industry codes and developing standards to evaluate activities based on water use and the economic value they generate. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the initiative seeks to integrate water footprint considerations into industrial planning, particularly in the food sector.
The ministry estimates Egypt's annual water gap at around 23.2 billion cubic metres and said water consumption should become a key criterion for future industrial expansion.
The ministry also called for closed-loop water systems in new factories, gradual upgrades to existing facilities and stronger links between food-processing plants and agricultural production areas.
The approach is intended to increase the value added of crops through processing rather than exporting raw materials. The Ministry of Industry said strict action would be taken against factories that violate approved water and wastewater regulations, while noting ongoing expansion of industrial and sanitary treatment facilities serving industrial zones.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade described food industries as a strategic sector that enhances the value of agricultural products.
The Ministry of Agriculture said efforts are under way to align agricultural and industrial planning with a focus on higher value-added food processing.
According to a water resources expert cited in the report, agriculture accounts for about 80% of Egypt's water consumption, compared with around 5% for industry and 15% for drinking water, highlighting the importance of modern irrigation systems and water recycling technologies.
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