Egypt president says bread price should rise

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt has said that it was time to increase the price of bread, which has been a highly sensitive issue in the past.

Mr Sisi said that there would not be a big jump.

But he suggested it was no longer reasonable to continue subsidising bread to the extent that 20 loaves sell for the price of just a single cigarette.

The International Monetary Fund – which has made substantial loans to Egypt – argues that food subsidies should only benefit those most in need.

A hike in the price of bread in 1977 sparked deadly riots.Article share tools