To address inflation, speculation, and monopoly issues, Algeria is importing notable amounts of red meat and chicken. Despite the government’s intention to apply severe criminal penalties against those disrupting the nation’s food supply, these actions have not been sufficient. The strategy to ease market pressures and thereby decrease prices involves augmenting the supply with imported products. The most recent initiative concentrates on importing sardines, especially to meet the heightened demand during Ramadan. The Ministry of Fisheries and Fisheries Production has opted for Tunisian sardines to fulfil this need.
Abderrahmane Hentour, a director within the ministry, noted that several requests to import fishing products from neighbouring countries like Tunisia and Mauritania were considered. This decision seeks to meet part of Algeria’s demand, which has faced challenges due to weather changes and shifts in sea currents.
The government has already started this plan, with the first shipment of 10 tonnes of Tunisian sardines distributed to the eastern wilayas. The sardines are priced between 400 and 500 dinars per kilo, and further imports are expected to help stabilize prices, which have soared to unprecedented levels.
Hentour confirmed that the imported sardines meet all required storage and distribution standards and that imports will continue throughout Ramadan. He also referenced a study by the Ministry of Fisheries and Fisheries Production indicating a seasonal decrease in Algeria’s fish production from December to May, in contrast to the period from May to November when production can reach 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes with stable prices. The shortfall in production directly impacts market prices, which can surge to 1400 or even 1500 dinars per kilo.