Wheat and meslin market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Algeria opened the period at a high volume of 12.9 million tonnes in 2018, supported by substantial imports. That year, the government announced the 2018-2019 harvest would allow the country to forgo imports of barley and durum wheat, signaling a policy push for greater local self-sufficiency in production. Market volume then entered a phase of gradual contraction, declining to 10.2 million tonnes by 2020. The downward trend continued into 2021, with the market shrinking to 9.9 million tonnes. This was directly influenced by a government adjustment to import specifications, which led to a 19% reduction in total cereal imports that year.

A partial recovery occurred in 2022, with market volume rising to 10.3 million tonnes. This turnaround was primarily driven by a rebound in domestic production to 3 million tonnes, spurred by concrete state measures. The government banned the use of wheat in animal feed to preserve supplies for human consumption and, crucially, the state grain office (OAIC) raised the purchase price for soft wheat above global levels to incentivize local farmers. However, in 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 8.7 million tonnes. This was due to a drop in domestic output to 2.5 million tonnes. In response to the war in Ukraine, authorities implemented emergency measures to secure imports, including diversifying supply sources and relaxing tolerance for damaged grains, but these efforts could not offset the overall decline in supply.

Production wheat and meslin in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Algeria's wheat and meslin production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 3 107 K t, marking a significant decrease of 19.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 27.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 981 K t, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 63.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Algeria

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 K t and peaked in 2018 at 0.1 K t, representing a 28-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Algeria exported 0.0 K t of wheat and meslin, which was a substantial increase of 1 385.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 96.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger, Austria, and France consistently held the leading positions in Algeria's export structure by volume. Niger accounted for 41.6% of exports, Austria for 24.4%, and France for 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 80.1% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Exports reached their lowest value in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US and peaked in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US, showing a 41-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Algeria's wheat and meslin exports were recorded at 0.0 M $ US, representing a sharp increase of 619.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 97.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Niger, France, and Italy remained the main markets for Algeria's wheat and meslin exports by value. Niger accounted for 37.8% of exports, France for 23.5%, and Italy for 23.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.3% of total export 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 wheat and meslin to Algeria

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Algeria's wheat and meslin imports reached 7 059 K t, showing a measured increase of 4.3% year-over-year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.6%, which equates to an annualized decline of 4.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 766 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 881 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Canada, and Argentina were the main sources for Algeria's wheat and meslin imports by volume. France accounted for 57.7% of imports, Canada for 12.0%, and Argentina for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 79.7% of total import 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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Algeria's wheat and meslin imports increased in 2020, reaching 1 697 M $ US. This represented a solid rise of 15.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 466 M $ US, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Canada, and Argentina consistently held the leading positions in Algeria's import structure by value. France accounted for 55.7% of imports, Canada for 14.7%, and Argentina for 9.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.6% of total import flows.

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

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