Amid global agricultural market tensions and soaring prices, Egypt and Algeria have embarked on a strategic shift: massively expanding sugar beet cultivation to reduce their dependence on imports.
The objective: achieve food self-sufficiency in sugar while making use of underexploited farmland.
Egypt: A Self-Sufficiency Model in the Making
With around 630,000 acres of sugar beet under cultivation, Egypt has emerged as a key regional player in sugar production. The country produces 1.8 million tons of beet sugar and 900,000 tons of cane sugar, covering 90% of its annual needs.
Among the flagship initiatives, the Canal Sugar Project stands out: 76,000 hectares are being cultivated with the aim of reducing sugar imports by 75%.
The Egyptian government supports this ambition through subsidies, free seeds, and quality-based incentives, encouraging farmers to shift towards this strategic crop.
Algeria: Diversifying to Cut Costs
Algeria is following a similar trajectory. The government has launched support programs for sugar beet cultivation across several northern regions of the country.
The provision of locally adapted seeds, farmer training, and investments in the processing chain are all being deployed to build a national industry and reduce the sugar import bill, which amounts to several hundred million dollars annually.
Sugar Beet Worldwide: A Pillar of Food Security
Sugar beet accounts for roughly 20% of global sugar production, compared to 80% for sugarcane. It boasts high yields, strong climate resilience, and a positive effect on soil fertility. Well-suited to temperate zones, it presents a relevant solution for Mediterranean countries.
According to the FAO, the global ranking of sugar beet producers is as follows:
| Rank | Country | Annual Production |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 41.2 million tons |
| 2 | France | 34.4 million tons |
| 3 | United States | 33.3 million tons |
| 4 | Germany | 31.9 million tons |
| 5 | Turkey | 18.2 million tons |
| 6 | Poland | 15.2 million tons |
Tunisia: A Dormant Sector Waiting to Be Activated
Tunisia currently relies on imports to meet over 90% of its sugar needs. Yet the country possesses suitable agricultural land, particularly in the northwest, central, and southern regions—where saline soils could be utilized with specially adapted beet varieties.
The introduction of modern technologies, the use of drip irrigation, access to high-performing seeds, and the implementation of incentive policies could pave the way for the development of a domestic sugar industry with strong economic and social potential.
Strategic Analysis: Why Tunisia Must Act Now
As global market instability undermines access to basic food commodities, Tunisia should view sugar beet as a strategic lever at the intersection of multiple priorities:
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Food sovereignty: Reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
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Agricultural circular economy: Reuse by-products, reclaim marginal lands.
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Rural job creation: Develop regional value chains.
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Export potential: Future positioning in the Maghreb market.
Egypt and Algeria demonstrate that with strong leadership and an industrial vision, it is possible to transform a dependency into a source of autonomy.
Tunisia lacks neither natural resources nor expertise. All it needs now is to structure a clear strategy to make sugar beet a cornerstone of its agricultural future.
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