The Egyptian economy is facing severe challenges, with the value of the Egyptian pound experiencing a significant downfall. Prices across the board have skyrocketed, leaving many Egyptians struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. To understand the impact of this economic crisis, I took a trip to Carrefour, one of the major supermarket chains in Egypt, to see firsthand how prices have changed.
Milk and Dairy Products
Starting in the milk aisle, it’s noticeable that stock levels are inconsistent. Popular brands like Almarai are usually available in every store across Egypt, but even they are occasionally sold out. A 1-liter bottle of Almarai milk costs 42 Egyptian pounds, which, at the current exchange rate of 47 EGP to 1 USD, comes to $0.89. Oat milk, on the other hand, is significantly more expensive, priced at 100 Egyptian pounds per liter, which is $2.13.
Bread
Next up, I explored the bread section. The country seems to have a near-monopoly on certain brands like Rich Bake, which is the dominant player in the market. Prices for sliced bread range from 49 to 55 Egyptian pounds. At today's exchange rate, that’s $1.04 to $1.17 for a loaf of bread. These are considerable prices for basic food items, reflecting the economic strain.
Disinfectants
Moving to the cleaning products, disinfectants are mostly sold as concentrates rather than pre-mixed bottles. Carrefour’s own store brand of concentrated disinfectant costs 42 Egyptian pounds, which equates to around $0.89. Other well-known brands, like Dettol, are priced higher, and a 1-liter bottle costs around 231 Egyptian pounds or approximately $4.92.
Eggs
Eggs are a staple, but even these have not escaped price hikes. A pack of 30 eggs costs 192 Egyptian pounds, which translates to $4.09. While this is somewhat reasonable compared to other items, it’s still a steep rise compared to what locals were paying just a year ago.
Oils
Oils have also seen price increases. For instance, a liter of extra virgin olive oil is priced at a whopping 890 Egyptian pounds, or $18.94. Corn oil is much cheaper, with a 1.5-liter bottle priced at 140 Egyptian pounds, which is about $2.98. Sunflower oil, another popular option, is priced at 74 Egyptian pounds per liter, which is $1.57.
Conclusion
The cost of living in Egypt is rising dramatically, and basic items like milk, bread, eggs, and cooking oils are now priced much higher than before. As the Egyptian pound continues to weaken, it’s essential for consumers to be aware of how the exchange rate impacts the cost of everyday goods. The dollar amounts in this article have been calculated at the current exchange rate of 47 EGP to 1 USD, giving you an accurate sense of how much these items cost when converted to dollars.
