Algeria will cease all durum wheat imports in 2026, Agriculture Minister Youcef Cherfa announced on Saturday, June 14.
This declaration confirms President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s repeated commitments and follows what the minister described as an “excellent” harvest during the 2025 season, with yields exceeding 55 quintals and reaching up to 80 quintals per hectare.
Speaking from the northern province of Chlef during the launch of the harvest season in the North and High Plateaux regions, Cherfa emphasized that the anticipated production would cover “all national durum wheat needs for 2026.” He highlighted this performance as a significant turning point in the national agricultural strategy, noting that current yields surpass the presidential estimates of February 2023, which predicted self-sufficiency with an average yield of 30 quintals per hectare on three million sown hectares.
Algeria, traditionally a major importer of cereals to meet its food demands, views this achievement as a crucial milestone towards food sovereignty. President Tebboune had publicly announced his intention to end durum wheat imports by 2026 in August 2024.
In addition to durum wheat, the minister also lauded the progress in the barley sector, projecting that it will cover “a large part of next year’s needs” with production “significantly better” than the previous season.
Algeria is also actively developing new industrial crops. Cherfa indicated that 21,000 hectares are already dedicated to rapeseed cultivation nationwide, aiming to bolster the supply of table oil through operational crushing units. Furthermore, the country is undertaking its first experiment with soybean cultivation on a 100-hectare test area, with the minister advocating for the expansion of this nascent sector to other farms.
These announcements come as many nations strive to enhance their food security amidst volatile global agricultural markets and climate challenges. If Algeria’s forecasts are confirmed, 2026 could indeed mark a pivotal moment in the country’s agricultural policy.
MK/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA