Egypt's rice stock is sufficient to meet the needs of local consumption for the next 16 months, an official at the Federation of Egyptian Industries said on Wednesday.

Ragab Shehata, the head of the Rice Department at the federation, said rice production in Egypt is large, especially in Beheira, which is considered one of the biggest rice producers.

Rice is now sold for five pounds per kilo, he said, stressing that no increase in the price of rice is expected within the coming period. 

He stressed that all State bodies are working hard to provide basic commodities of rice, cooking oil and sugar at affordable prices.