Algeria bars previous colonial governor from wheat tender
Date
10/17/2024 3:10:53 AM
(MENAFN) Algeria has officially barred French companies from competing for a recent wheat import contract, directing participating firms to refrain from supplying any grain produced in France. This decision comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and its former colonial ruler, France, as reported by Reuters.
Historically, France has been Algeria's largest supplier of wheat. The North African nation, known for being one of the world's biggest wheat importers, has traditionally relied on imports from the European Union. However, in recent years, Algeria has shifted its focus toward Russian wheat supplies, which now dominate the North African market. A report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released in April highlighted this significant change in procurement strategy.
Recent data indicates that Algeria has become a major importer of Russian wheat, ranking second—behind Egypt—among the top five African countries importing Russian wheat between January and September this year. During this period, Algeria received approximately 1.3 million tons of wheat from Russia.
On Tuesday, the Algerian Inter-professional Office of Cereals (OAIC) announced a tender for the purchase of over 500,000 tons of wheat, with Russia identified as the primary supplier. The Russian trade mission in Algeria indicated that if current trends persist, wheat imports from Russia could potentially reach 3 million tons by the end of the season.
Typically, the OAIC conducts regular bidding processes to purchase grain from an approved list of suppliers, which has included France in the past. However, six sources familiar with the situation informed Reuters that French firms were notably excluded from the latest tender shortlist. These sources claimed that eligible companies were explicitly instructed not to suggest French wheat as a supply option.
This strategic pivot away from France not only reflects Algeria's evolving foreign relations but also underscores its increasing dependence on Russian grain, reshaping the landscape of agricultural imports in the region.
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