This is expected to generate better marginal profits for Egypt's poultry sector, according to Dr Hussein Soliman, US Grains Council director in Egypt.

As profits increase, higher wages and growing consumer demand in Egypt will lead to industry expansion, Soliman predicted.

Increased demand for animal protein has also pressured farm-gate milk prices, cattle prices and buffalo prices upward, in fact, improving profitability in cattle and buffalo feeding.

"The Council has been instrumental in preparing this project expansion," Dr Soliman said. "The present market climate indicates great expansion in all sectors of animal protein production, which will translate into additional grain usage this year."

Dr Soliman further noted that Egypt has increased its corn imports by 2 million metric tons (79 million bushels) in the last five years.