World Grain - March 2022 - 22

COUNTRY FOCUS
that French wheat imports have fallen from 56% of Algeria's
total wheat imports to 24% since the beginning of 2021, the
attaché noted.
" Russia, one of the world's largest wheat exporters, has been
lobbying for access to Algeria's market, " the attaché noted. " The
Algerian market has been traditionally dominated by France. "
The attaché explained in an annual report, dated April 1,
2021, that " in July 2020, the Algerian government implemented
a new policy to develop the agriculture sector. This
new strategy aims to achieve food security, increase domestic
production, reduce imports of some expensive commodities
by encouraging investments locally to develop the strategic
agricultural sectors. "
Five-year plan
The Minister of Agriculture presented a five-year (2020-24)
roadmap for the development of agriculture on July 26, 2020.
" On Feb. 9, 2021, the Minister indicated to the Algerian
Senate Agriculture Committee that the new strategy aims to
significantly reduce imports by $2.5 billion of some expensive
agricultural commodities, including grains, milk powder,
sugar, and vegetable oils, " the report said.
Citing government reports, it added that " the government
aims to reduce the import bill for bread (common) wheat by
($400 million), corn by ($17.6 million), vegetable oils by
($983 million), sugar by ($555 million), industrial tomatoes
by ($55 million) and potato seeds by ($42 million) as well as
garlic by ($12 million). "
The attaché explained that the government intends to diversify
the economy to achieve sustainable growth and hopes to
attract investment outside the energy sector.
" In the context of the new strategy, the Algerian government
encourages modern industrial agriculture, using new technologies,
digitization as well as innovative tools and renewable energies, "
the attaché said. " The new policy prioritizes investment
in agricultural products to ensure food security in Algeria.
" The government encourages large-scale agricultural investments
in the highlands and the Sahara (South of Algeria).
In addition, it promotes foreign direct investment and
partnerships, particularly in the field of cereals, oilseeds, and
sugar productions as well as crushing and refinery projects
that generates processing to support the processing industry.
Such projects include supporting the increase of grain storage
facilities as well as cold chain and packaging projects. At the
same time, the Ministry of Agriculture is creating an office
to promote industrial agriculture investments in those areas. "
In a Jan. 31 update, the attaché reported that the " Minister
of Agriculture, Abdelhafid Henni, who was appointed in November
2021, indicated during the Nation's Council plenary
that his sector was working to increase the Algerian Office of
Cereals (OAIC) storage capacity. "
" Currently Algeria's grain storage capacity is 28 million
quintals (2.8 million tonnes), " the attaché said. " The goal is to
build 30 storage silos; 16 have been built while the remaining
14 are experiencing a delay in completion. "
22
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
Algeria wheat imports
(in 1,000 tonnes)
Imports
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
Production *Projected
Algeria corn demand
(in 1,000 tonnes)
Consumption
Imports *Projected
On Jan. 16, during the Minister's Council, President Tebboune
decided to increase prices for domestic grains procurement
from farmers to encourage grain collection and improve
production to ensure food security, the attaché said.
The attaché explained in the annual report that " like other North
African countries, Algeria is a major consumer of cereals and considers
wheat a staple. Bread (common) wheat is mainly used to
produce bread. Durum is used to produce pasta and couscous. "
" Wheat consumption will remain relatively stable with normal
growth for the near future, " the attaché said. " The government
is not providing new agreements to new mills, nor
expanding the old ones. "
Flour milling sector
According to the government, there are currently 432 flour
mills in operation in Algeria, but a regional expert told World
March 2022 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
2021-22*
2020-21
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
2021-22*
2020-21
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
Source: USDA FAS
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - March 2022

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