Algeria faces rising food prices amid market margin concerns

Algeria is facing significant rising costs for essential food items, prompting a response from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Local markets have seen sharp increases in the prices of staples such as tomatoes and potatoes. In some areas of Algiers, potatoes have reached prices between 130 and 150 dinars per kilogram, while tomatoes have been reported at 170 to 200 dinars on certain stalls.

President Tebboune has addressed these price hikes during a recent press interview, focusing on the discrepancies between producer prices and final retail costs. The inflation is putting pressure on household purchasing power and small merchants alike.

A related controversy has emerged regarding the price of Algerian grapes in France. A merchant, Fayçal Ouchen, drew attention for selling Algerian grapes for 0.99 euros per kilo near Paris—a price significantly lower than the 450 dinars per kilo seen in some Algerian markets. Ouchen defended his pricing by stating he buys directly from producers and manages his own export-import companies, arguing that the disparity highlights the high margins and inefficiencies within the Algerian domestic supply chain.