Maize flour and cereals market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for maize flour and cereals in Algeria grew from 500.7 thousand tons to 602.0 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by government measures to boost domestic output, starting with a 2018 cap on wheat imports set at 4 million tons per year to encourage local production. The state reinforced this direction in 2019 through large wheat purchases and a renewed campaign to limit cereal imports. In 2020, the market benefited from regulatory easing, as the Algerian Interprofessional Cereals Office raised the accepted level of damaged grains in soft wheat to 1%, helping to secure supplies.

After reaching a peak in 2020, market volume dropped to 534.3 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with a reported 19% decrease in total cereal imports for that campaign. A recovery followed in 2022, with the market rising to 546.6 thousand tons after the agriculture minister announced a record cereal harvest, aided by increased subsidy payments to farmers for wheat and barley. The government also authorized significant imports of corn and barley for animal feed through international tenders that year. By 2023, the market contracted again to 504.6 thousand tons. This followed a presidential order that restricted the early harvesting of corn grains, potentially affecting availability, and a government program to diversify crops by reviving legume cultivation on fallow land.

In 2024, the milling sector saw the emergence of a new product segment with the launch of a more affordable flour blend containing 70% soft wheat and 30% superior semolina. Simultaneously, the National Animal Feed Office continued its strategy of targeted import tenders for corn and barley, indicating ongoing efforts to balance domestic production with foreign supply to meet demand.

Production maize flour and cereals in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Algeria's maize flour and cereals production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Algeria produced 600.9 K t of maize flour and cereals, marking a 12.7% rise compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 498.7 K t, with the largest decline that year at 0.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production grew by 20%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals exports from Algeria have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 18 t, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 1,671.9%. From 2018 to 2020, exports surged by 2,370.8%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 191.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger remained the primary market for Algeria's exports in kind, accounting for 75.3% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals from Algeria hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.2 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 87.0%. In 2020, exports peaked at 12 K $ US, showing a substantial increase of 6,712.2% compared to 2019, resulting in a 68-fold amplitude between these years.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Niger, and Canada dominated the structure of exports in value terms. France led with 48.4% of exports, followed by Niger at 30.8%, and Canada at 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 87.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Algeria's maize flour and cereals import volume has rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 1,145 t, reflecting a significant rise of 35.1% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 847 t, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 59.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 77.7%, averaging an annualized decline of 39.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Turkey, and Spain consistently held the top positions in Algeria's import structure in kind. France accounted for 33.0% of imports, Turkey for 27.0%, and Spain for 26.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 86.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year fall, maize flour and cereals deliveries to Algeria have increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 501 K $ US, indicating a notable rise of 12.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 444 K $ US, with the largest decline in 2018 at 58.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 77%, equating to an annualized rate of 38.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for Algeria's imports in value terms. France represented 36.7% of imports, Spain 27.5%, and Turkey 17.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020