Algeria Fruits and Vegetables Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Key Highlights

• Algeria is one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables in North Africa. It is globally the 7th largest producer of dates due to the high demand for nutritional diets and companies entering the Algeria market to develop new technology infrastructure such as vertical farms.
• Algeria's domestic fruits and vegetables market is comparatively large compared to other North African countries such as Sudan and Egypt. Apart from catering to its domestic purposes, the products are also exported to other countries. Although fruits and vegetables are exported from Algeria, the domestic need is high within the region.
• The potatoes, tomatoes, and onion segments have been booming in recent years. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2021, potato production accounted for 4.4 million metric tons, followed by onion with 1.7 million metric tons and tomato with 1.6 million metric tons. In the fruit segment, watermelon dominates the Algerian market. In 2021, the production of watermelon accounted for 2.1 million metric tons, followed by oranges with 1.1 million metric tons. With the high export potential and high production compared to other North African countries, the country is expected to witness growth during the forecasted period.

Algeria Fruits and Vegetables Market Trends

Potato Dominates the Market

• Potato is a critical crop in Algeria due to the favorable climate conditions and higher per capita consumption rates. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), potato is one of the primary vegetables in the Algerian market, with potato production accounting for 4.4 million metric tons in 2021.
• However, there has been a gradual decrease in the area under potato cultivation from 2018 to 2021 - a decrease of 8.6% due to the non-availability of true potato seeds (TPS) that help to increase yield. TPS is the name given to the seeds from potato fruits, which breeders can use to develop new varieties. Unlike seed potatoes, TPS is generally free from viruses, easy to transport, and can be stored for several years without losing its germination.
• Despite the reduction in potato cultivation area, potato production is expected to increase during the forecasted period, driven by the high demand from the people in Algeria and other countries such as Scotland and the Netherlands. For instance, annual per capita potato consumption in Algeria increased to 66 kg in 2021, boosting the vegetable market during the forecast period. The higher consumption rate is due to potatoes' nutritional value and versatility in Algerian cuisine.
• The demand for potatoes is expected to remain high during the forecasted period due to the availability of advanced seeds that provide higher profitability from less area harvested. This is expected to make potato cultivation more attractive to farmers, thus boosting production. Overall, the market for potatoes in Algeria is expected to grow, driven by higher consumption and increased production efficiency.

High Regional Trade of Dates is Driving the Market

• Algeria has established itself as a major player in the global fruit market, with the production of watermelons, oranges, and dates being the primary driver of the country's agricultural output. Although watermelons and oranges have dominated the industry for the last few years, dates have emerged as significant commercial products in recent years. In fact, Algeria is the seventh-largest producer of dates in the world and is now exporting the product to other countries for consumption.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2021, dates accounted for 1.2 million metric tons of Algeria's total fruit production, which increased from 1.1 million metric tons in 2019. The country's date export value has also been steadily increasing, reaching USD 141.9 thousand in 2021, up from USD 110.7 thousand in 2018, according to ITC Trademap.
• France, Russia, and Spain are the major destinations for Algerian date exports. In 2021, France and Russia held a share of 50.6% of the total value of dates exported from Algeria. This indicates the high export potential of the Algerian date segment and suggests that demand for dates is likely to rise in the coming years. Therefore, the growth of the dates segment in Algeria has been impressive in recent years, with a steady increase in production and exports. With its high export potential and a significant share of the country's total fruit production, demand for dates is expected to continue to rise in the forecasted period, contributing further to Algeria's position as a major player in the global fruit market.

Algeria Fruits and Vegetables Industry Overview

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