Algeria starts potato destocking to ease market shortage
Potato prices have risen sharply since October 1, 2026, causing scarcity in markets.
Algeria has begun destocking potatoes from cold storage facilities in Aïn Defla, Médéa, Boumerdès, and Bouira provinces to address national market shortages. The commerce directorate in Ouled Djellal announced the operation on Wednesday, inviting fruit and vegetable operators to identify participating cold storage units. These reserves were initially established to regulate the market.
The scarcity follows a price cap of 80-90 Algerian dinars per kilogram for retail potatoes, implemented on October 1. Some traders are reportedly selling the tubers discreetly at much higher prices. Economist Brahim Guendouzi attributes the disappearance from stalls to the significant role of intermediaries in fresh produce distribution, stating that price controls and increased inspections have discouraged regular supply at traders' terms.
Guendouzi suggests that the government's destocking plan appears insufficient, citing a combination of factors including weak production, logistical challenges like transport and storage, and numerous intermediaries. He noted that the upcoming harvests might resolve the issue. Oued Souf, a major potato-producing region, estimates its annual output at 16 million quintals.
Why it mattersAlgerian households are facing a shortage of a commonly consumed vegetable due to market disruptions and price controls.