Algeria to miss its 2024 food import reduction target amid worsening drought conditions

Al-Monitor Readers

Francisco Serrano

Journalist and analyst specialized in North Africa

Feb. 6, 2024

Algeria is set to become the world’s fifth largest buyer of soft wheat in 2024, as imports are projected to increase 11% compared to 2023, reaching 7.2 million tons. The need to resort to more imports is primarily due to water scarcity which has particularly impacted Algeria’s cereal production following a prolonged period of drought. Under its 2020-2024 Agriculture Roadmap, Algeria had set itself the goal of cutting as much as $2.5 billion from total annual food imports of around $10 billion in recent years. These plans, however, are being challenged by volatile rainfall patterns. To reduce the impact of drought on its food production systems, Algeria will need to focus on mechanization and economies of scale to increase annual agricultural yields.