The crisis in Ukraine raises concerns about the consequences on the African continent. Some states take the lead. This is the case with Algeria, which in the Council of Ministers on Sunday decided to ban the export of certain consumer products whose raw materials are imported.
Sugar, pasta, oil, semolina and all wheat derivatives are now banned for export, the press release from the Council of Ministers specifies. The Minister of Justice will also draft a bill to penalize the export of these products, which will soon be considered “an act of sabotage of the national economy”.
Avoid stock shortages To reduce the risk of shortages or reduced imports from Ukraine and Russia, the authorities have specified that they want to encourage the availability of the “strategic state stock of durum and soft wheat” and legumes. Incentives can take the form of loans or fertilizers. Imports of frozen meat are still strictly prohibited to encourage the consumption of local meat.
Earlier this month, the Algerian news agency quoted President Tebboune as saying that “the quantities of wheat imported by the country represented only 20% of the national need for a global banknote of about $ 1.3 billion”. Still according to the latter, the president would thus like to see a corresponding increase in national production.
These measures are taken in the context of tensions in the Algerian markets for certain food products and the significant price increase. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, the export of wheat, rye, barley and maize can be banned until 30 June.
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