Algeria faces potato and cooking oil shortages

Algeria is experiencing a significant shortage of potatoes and cooking oil, leading to rising prices and supply disruptions across the country. While the government has set a price ceiling for potatoes between 80 and 90 dinars per kilogram, market prices have reportedly climbed to between 130 and 180 dinars.

In response to the crisis, authorities have begun releasing national stocks from cold storage to stabilize the market, with a goal of supplying 7,000 tonnes weekly. Monder Bouden, Secretary General of the RND, stated that the situation is expected to improve within approximately 15 days as the harvest from El Oued and Oued Souf arrives.

The shortage is impacting various sectors, including the restaurant industry. In coastal cities like Béjaïa, many fast-food and traditional restaurants have been forced to remove fries from their menus due to the scarcity and high cost of both potatoes and oil. This has resulted in a notable loss of revenue for food service professionals.

Local reports suggest the crisis may be driven by distribution disruptions and potential market speculation. Authorities have launched a digital platform to monitor prices and quantities while increasing inspections in wholesale and retail markets to combat illegal price hikes.