CAIRO- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Tuesday the country had "no issue" with its strategic reserves of wheat and that it was willing to spend if needed to maintain it.

Sisi previously encouraged authorities to boost the country's reserves of strategic commodities amid rising global fears for food supplies due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Egypt, the world's largest wheat buyer, said last week that it had wheat stocks sufficient for four months of consumption ahead of the harvest season of its local crop.

"As I'm speaking to you, isn't there wheat production in Egypt (Doesn't) the harvest begin in April There, we will harvest at least 8-9 million tonnes and the government is going to procure at least half of that," Sisi said in televised remarks on Tuesday.

"What happens after that Well, we're paying close attention and if need be, we will make more expensive or bigger contracts so that our minimum reserves of 3 months are secured."

Egypt's state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), last week issued an international wheat tender, then quickly cancelled it without giving a reason.

Traders told Reuters on Sunday the GASC is considering asking suppliers to offer prices on a cost and freight (C&F) basis instead of free-on-board (FOB) at an anticipated upcoming wheat tender.

(Reporting Nadine Awadalla Writing by Maha El Dahan Editing by Mark Heinrich) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))