Page 13 - AA 2026

Algeria

regions and peri-urban areas, with
greenhouse technology adoption
driven by water scarcity mitigation
and year-round production capabili-
ties. The integration of renewable
energy systems with greenhouse op-
erations creates sustainable produc-
tion models that align with Algeria’s
climate commitments while reducing
operational costs for energy-inten-
sive controlled environment agricul-
ture.
Water-Table Salinization
Soil salinization affects 10-15% of
Algeria’s irrigated agricultural areas,
with projections indicating worsen-
ing conditions due to intensive irri- 2031, fueling export revenue diversi- regenerative project. These devel-
gation practices and climate change fication. opments leverage underground
impacts on groundwater quality. The Oilseeds and pulses represent a water resources and advanced irri-
challenge is particularly acute in smaller yet strategic slice of Alge- gation technology to establish com-
coastal regions where seawater in- ria agriculture market size as policy mercial agriculture in previously
trusion combines with poor drainage pushes protein self-reliance and ed- marginal lands, supported by gov-
to create increasingly saline condi- ible-oil security. Cash crops such as ernment infrastructure investments,
tions that reduce crop yields and lim- cotton and tobacco remain niche due including transportation networks
it suitable crop varieties. Date palm to water limits and stronger returns and processing facilities. The Office
groves in southern Algeria show sig- from greenhouse tomatoes or citrus. de développement de l’agriculture
nificant spatial variability in salinity Forage and fodder demand grow in industrielle en terres sahariennes
levels, with electrical conductivity tandem with Baladna’s USD 3.5 bil- coordinates strategic crop develop-
measurements revealing concentrat- lion integrated dairy, driving alfalfa ment across multiple southern re-
ed salt accumulation that threatens and maize silage acreage in desert gions, focusing on high-value crops
long-term agricultural sustainabil- concessions, signaling increasing that justify the substantial infrastruc-
ity. Advanced irrigation scheduling vertical integration within the Alge-
and soil monitoring technologies of- ria agriculture market. ture investments required for desert
fer partial solutions, but widespread Geography Analysis agriculture.
adoption requires technical training Northern coastal plains, led by the Central highlands serve as syn-
and financial support that current ex- Mitidja region, capitalize on proxim- thesis zones where mixed cereals
tension services struggle to provide ity to ports and established irrigation and orchard systems integrate new
at scale. agri-fintech credit models, helping
grids. FAO’s WaPOR mapping equips
By Crop Type: Cereals Drive Vol- growers with zonal water-efficiency medium farms migrate from rain-fed
ume While Horticulture Captures dashboards, unlocking precision fer- to partial drip irrigation. Transport
Value tilization gains. The northern coastal corridors under construction prom-
Grains and cereals accounted for plains and Mitidja region maintain ise to shorten farm-to-port delivery,
57.46% of Algeria agriculture market their position as primary produc- reinforcing competitive advantages
share in 2025, anchored by 3 million tion zones, benefiting from favorable for diversified supply chains within
hectares of wheat and barley sup- climate conditions and established the Algeria agriculture industry. Re-
ported through guaranteed pricing infrastructure that supports both do- gional specialization is emerging,
schemes. Subsidy certainty and des- mestic food production and export- with coastal areas concentrating
ert irrigation expansion raise yields oriented horticulture. on fresh produce and export crops
and reduce imports. Fruits and veg- Southern Saharan territories, his- while interior regions develop grain
etables, supported by greenhouse torically marginal, now attract land- production and livestock operations
clusters and solar cold chains, record mark capital, Qatar’s 170,000-hect- that benefit from land availability and
the strongest 6.62% CAGR forecast to are dairy and Italy’s 36,000-hectare lower operational costs.
Arab Agriculture 2026 11