Algeria to maintain wheat imports at 9.2 MMT in 2025-26: USDA

ALGERIA – Algeria is projected to import approximately 9.2 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat in the 2025-26 marketing year, maintaining levels similar to the previous season, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

This forecast is influenced by stable domestic production and ongoing efforts to bolster strategic reserves. ​

Wheat and barley are Algeria’s primary cereal crops, with durum wheat constituting about 45% of the planting area over the past decade, barley slightly more than 33%, and bread wheat approximately 15%.

The wheat harvest for 2025-26 is anticipated to remain steady at 3 MMT, with barley production projected at 1.2 MMT. These figures reflect consistent planting areas: just over 2 million hectares for wheat and 1 million hectares for barley.

Despite government initiatives to expand irrigated land by 1 million hectares, the majority of cereal cultivation continues to depend on rainfall. ​

Wheat remains a staple in the Algerian diet, accounting for 60% of the national food ration. The government subsidizes bread production, keeping prices low and consumption relatively inelastic.

Despite campaigns to reduce bread consumption and minimize waste, wheat consumption is expected to align with population growth, estimated at 1.5% annually. For the 2024-25 marketing year, wheat consumption is projected at 11.35 MMT, up from 11.2 MMT in the previous season. ​

The Algerian Office of Cereals (OAIC) continues to be the sole importer of wheat, intensifying purchases to build reserves and ensure food security.

In a December 2024 tender, OAIC procured 1.17 MMT of bread wheat, with shipments scheduled for February-March 2025.

Russia has emerged as a significant supplier, with exports to Algeria surpassing 1.68 MMT in the first half of the 2024-25 marketing year, overtaking traditional European sources. Ukraine has also increased its market share, exporting 454,441 metric tons to Algeria during the same period

Despite government aspirations to achieve self-sufficiency in durum wheat production by 2025, imports have remained substantial. In December 2024, OAIC purchased between 350,000 and 400,000 metric tons of durum wheat, with origins likely from Canada, the United States, and Australia.

This underscores the challenges in reducing reliance on imports, even amid policy directives aimed at boosting domestic production.

Barley production is expected to remain stable at 1.2 MMT for the 2025-26 marketing year. However, due to anticipated increased demand for animal feed, barley imports are forecasted to rise to 700,000 metric tons, up from 650,000 metric tons in the previous season.

The Algerian Office of Feed Grains (ONAB) is actively procuring barley and corn through international tenders to meet the needs of the livestock industry. ​

In response to global supply chain disruptions, in 2024, the Algerian government initiated plans to expand cereal storage capacities to 9 MMT by the end of the year. This strategic move was a step forward to enhance food security and mitigate the impact of potential future shortages.

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