Algeria Forecasts Import of Over 9 Million Tons of Wheat in the 2025-26 Marketing Year
According to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Algeria plans to import over 9 million tons of wheat in the 2025-26 marketing year to meet domestic demand. The FAS forecasts that wheat imports will reach 9.2 million tons in the season starting in July 2025, considering the expected similar harvest in the previous year.
This is reported by AgroReview
The FAS notes that “Russia remains the leading supplier of wheat to Algeria, while Ukraine has become another key source of grain, with exports of wheat from France sharply declining in the current marketing year.” Wheat and barley are the main agricultural crops grown in Algeria, with the largest share attributed to hard wheat varieties. According to the FAS, over the past decade, hard wheat has accounted for about 45% of the sown area.
Production and Consumption Forecast
Wheat and barley production is expected to remain stable in 2025-26: wheat harvest will be 3 million tons, and barley will be 1.2 million tons, unchanged from the previous marketing year. Algeria also remains a major consumer of grains, ranking second in the world for per capita bread consumption at 110 kg per year. Bread, as a staple food, is significantly subsidized by the government, and the FAS forecasts that its consumption will gradually increase, considering the trend of the country’s population growth, which exceeds 46 million people.
Barley and Corn Consumption
According to data from the Algerian government, as of 2022, the milling sector comprised about 432 mills, although not all of them are actively operating. Wheat consumption is expected to remain relatively stable at 11.9 million tons in 2025-26. Barley is primarily consumed as animal feed, with total consumption projected to be 1.8 million tons in 2025-26. Algeria will also continue to import corn, maintaining volumes at 4-5 million tons per year.
The further development of the grain and oilseed market in Ukraine and the Black Sea region will be a topic of discussion at the 23rd International Conference BLACK SEA GRAIN.KYIV, which will take place on April 24 in Kyiv.