Tomato market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

Algeria's tomato market volume grew steadily from 1 310 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 636 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by protective government policies, including a ban on importing double- and triple-concentrated tomato and the implementation of a 200% tax on tomato concentrate imports, which shielded domestic producers. Simultaneously, the launch of La Belle's new processing unit in Relizane significantly increased industrial capacity, while state agencies like CNIFT and APS coordinated contracts and provided subsidies to growers, fostering production growth and leading to self-sufficiency in concentrated tomato by 2020.

The market reached a production peak in 2021, but a sharp drop followed in 2022 due to a market glut from the previous year's over-production. External pressures emerged, as rising fertilizer costs linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and persistent water scarcity squeezed grower profitability. In response, the government announced additional subsidies and export incentives. This period also saw the entry of a new player, with Groupe Souakri launching a high-tech greenhouse project focused on premium cherry tomatoes for export, marking the emergence of a new market segment.

Market volume continued to climb, reaching 1 700 thousand tons in 2023, though accompanied by a surge in fresh tomato prices reflecting supply-demand imbalances. Many processing plants reported under-utilization, highlighting sectoral stress. The development of the high-tech greenhouse segment progressed, with Souakri's project reaching commercial operation and securing export contracts for 2024. The regulatory landscape evolved with stricter plastic-packaging rules for fresh produce and new budget allocations for agricultural mechanization, setting the stage for future market conditions.

Production tomato in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria ranked 16th globally in tomato production.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Algeria's tomato production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 636 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 10.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 27.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%.

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

Exports tomato from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Algeria's tomato exports totaled 20.1 tonnes, reflecting a 69.7% decline from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 88.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 68.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Algerian tomatoes were Qatar, accounting for 59.9% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates at 19.8%, and Spain at 11.3%. Together, these three countries made up 91.0% of total exports in kind.

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

The market showed volatility during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, while the maximum occurred in 2020, with a 12.9-fold variation between them. In 2020, Algeria's tomato exports amounted to 666.5 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp rise of 834.3% compared to 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 51.6 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 64.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania consistently represented 70.5% of Algeria's total tomato exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports tomato to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced volatility during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 1 615-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Algeria's tomato imports totaled 0.0 tonnes, showing a 66.7% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria's imports in kind were heavily dependent on Brazil, which accounted for 95.1% 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

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 609-fold difference. In 2020, Algeria's tomato imports came to 0.0 thousand US dollars, marking a 40.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 99.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Greece were the dominant sources for Algeria's tomato imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.7% 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