The Egyptian government is urging farmers to reduce rice plantations for corn as part of a government plan to cut rice exports by 67 % and reduce corn imports by increasing domestic production.

Rice, the staple food for half the world, reached a record in April as exporters including Egypt, Vietnam and India halted sales to guarantee local supplies. Egypt this month extended a ban on exports from October to April to force exporters to sell their stockpiles into the local market and reduce prices.

Egypt more than doubled the prices of corn and wheat it pays local farmers for the grain to encourage them to bolster production. The government plans to use 20 % corn in the bread mix to cut spending on wheat.