Page 13 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Algeria

port value indicates a strong market
potential. Algeria to import over 9 million
Alongside the rising export values,
improvements in fruit production ca- tonnes of wheat
pacities are enhancing productivity
and boosting exports. For example, in With wheat production forecast
2022, Agrotonomy developed five new to remain steady in marketing year
aeroponic technology-based vertical 2025-26, Algeria is expected to im-
farms in Africa and is currently work- port over 9 million tonnes of the sta-
ing on a project to establish a new ver- ple grain to meet domestic demand,
tical farm in Algeria for growing fruits according to a report from the For-
and vegetables. Food security remains eign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the
a significant challenge in Algeria, but US Department of Agriculture.
the country is actively addressing this The FAS sees wheat imports at 9.2
issue while also aiming to increase ex- million tonnes in the marketing year
ports. The UN reports that Algeria has beginning in July 2025, and estimates
the lowest malnutrition rate in Africa, that import levels for the 2024-25 sea-
and the country is seeking foreign in- son will be the same based on a pro-
vestments to further improve its export jected similar harvest.
performance.
“Russia remains the leading wheat
Since 2023, Algeria has undertak- supplier to Algåeria, while Ukraine not all mills are operational, the FAS
en several initiatives to strengthen has emerged as another key source said. No new agreements or expan-
the competitiveness of its agri-food of grain with wheat export volumes sions have been made. Because of
and beverage sector. One key initia- from France diminishing sharply in these factors, wheat consumption is
tive is the 2023 launch of the project the current maårketing year,” the FAS forecast to remain relatively steady at
“Strengthening the Competitiveness said. 11.9 million tonnes in 2025-26 and an
of the Agri-food and Beverage Sector,” Wheat and barley are the main estimated 11.7 million tonnes in 2024-
which focuses on enhancing the export crops grown in Algeria, with durum 25.
competitiveness of Algeria’s agri-food wheat accounting for the largest Barley mainly is consumed as
sector. These initiatives not only sup- poråtion. Over the past decade, du- grain in animal feed by sheep, cat-
port fruit exports but also drive market rum wheat has made up about 45% tle and camels, with small amounts
growth. of the planting area, barley slightly consumed as green fodder. Minor
Algeria Fruits and Vegetables Mar- more than 33%, and bread wheat amounts are used for traditional foods
ket News about 15%, the FAS noted. such as couscous and bread. Total
September 2024: Algeria’s National Wheat and barley production is ex- consumption is seen at 1.8 million
Agricultural Land Office (ONTA) has pected to remain stable in 2025-26, tonnes for 2025-26, up 50,000 tonnes
granted Al Rayyan Agricultural a qual- with the wheat harvest forecast at 3 from the previous year. To meet do-
ification certificate for a 1,811-hectare million tonnes and barley at 1.2 mil- mestic needs, Algeria is expected to
concession in Hassi Fehal. Al Rayyan lion tonnes, both unchanged from the import 700,000 tonnes, the same as
is also setting up operations in El Me- previous marketing year. 2024-25.
niaa, about 867 km from Algiers. This Algeria remains a major consumer In recent years, Algeria’s corn im-
concession enables investment in stra- of cereals and per capita the world’s ports have emerged as the second
tegic crops, boosting Algeria’s agri- second-largest consumer of bread leading agricultural import commod-
cultural production, particularly veg- at 110 kg per year. A staple food, ity after wheat. Algeria’s poultry in-
etables. bread is highly subsidized by the dustry will continue to reinforce corn
May 2023: Vesco Algeria signed government, and the FAS anticipates and soybean imports in the coming
two Memorandums of Understanding that consumption will increase slow- years, the FAS said.
with Elite Capital & Co. Limited to fi- ly alongside trendline population Corn imports will continue at be-
nance two projects a Dairy Farm and growth for the North African country tween 4 million and 5 million tonnes
an Agro-Industrial Farm. The agro- åof just over 46 million people. annually, the FAS noted, while a ris-
industrial project focuses on establish- According to the Algerian govern- ing crush industry producing oil will
ing a greenhouse farm covering 500 ment, the milling sector was com- contribute to soybean imports of
hectares, supporting the production of posed of about 432 mills as of 2022, between 1.4 million and 1.6 million
fruits and vegetables. though private sector estimates that tonnes per year.
Arab Agriculture 2025 11