French exporters worry about losing their position in Algeria – TSA

"Competition is becoming more open and competition is growing. France has long had captive markets, such as Algeria and Morocco. Today, these large countries are testing other origins, such as Russia, which has made great progress in quantity and quality, "said Michel Portier, CEO of Agritel, the management consulting firm for agricultural markets, in an interview with Les Echos.

"We are also newly competing in the Maghreb by Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Romania. Clearly, France is losing guarded hunting. Twenty years ago it was 6.5% of the world's wheat. Today 5%, "said Mr. Portier, who believes, however, that France still has strengths in the face of competition, including high logistical costs months.

"Today, French wheat is cheaper than Russian wheat. We are therefore well placed for export, "said the Director General of Agritel. "The logistics costs in Russia are enormous. The loading of a boat is 25 dollars a ton. In France, it's 4 euros, "he said. Agritel estimates that France could export this year 5 million tonnes to Algeria, despite the competition from Argentina which may be very aggressive, said Michel Portier.

On August 7, the Minister of Agriculture Cherif Omari had affirmed that the production of common wheat continues to be the subject of "an open construction site at the Ministry of Agriculture with the prospect of consolidating the yield of this sector", noting that the consumption of common wheat, a staple in many food products, particularly bread, is "to be reviewed". "No less than 10 million rolls are thrown daily," lamented the minister, quoted by the National Radio.

Regarding the production of durum wheat, Cherif Omari said that Algeria has been able to ensure a "self-sufficiency of 10 months in the field," saying that this effort is "to consolidate by the monitoring and support of this sector for better results.

Thursday, August 22, Minister of Commerce Said Djellab raised the possibility of not importing wheat this year. "The possibility of not resorting to the importation of subsidized product exists in view of the measures taken by the government against some owners of fraudulent flour mills who circumvent the laws to take advantage of the subsidies allocated by the State", specified the minister, according to the official agency.

"The abundant production of various types of cereals recorded this year and the value of the domestic product of durum wheat, soft wheat and barley will make it possible not to resort to importing wheat this year," he added.