Agriculture is the third economic sector in Algeria after services and industry. In 2020, agricultural, livestock farming, and fishery activities contributed around 14 percent to the
, after a steady increment registered in the previous decade. Moreover, the Algerian primary sector employed roughly
, corresponding to slightly over one million people. Agriculture has played an increasingly important role in Algeria in recent years, as the development of this sector can lead to economic diversification and decrease the dependence on food imports.
Around 41 million hectares of agricultural land
Although Algeria is the largest country in Africa, the vast desert area limits agricultural activities. Around 17 percent of the country’s land is used for agriculture, one of the lowest
shares in Africa. However, in absolute figures, the country’s
farmland area covers roughly 41 million hectares, ranking ninth on the continent. As of 2019, almost 80 percent of the total agricultural land was
under permanent meadows and pastures, while permanent crops occupied 2.5 percent of the area. Algeria devotes most of its farmland to cultivating some key agricultural products, including cereals, olives, and dates.
Crop, animal, and fish production on the rise
Potatoes, wheat, watermelons, onions, and tomatoes constituted the bulk of Algeria’s
crop production in 2020. These products were mainly consumed domestically rather than exported, as the country experienced growing demand for agri-food products. In the same year, Algeria’s
livestock production mainly consisted of poultry, followed by sheep, rabbits, and turkey. In contrast, the country produced minimal quantities of pig and horse meat. Algeria also boasted a modest fishing sector, with
pelagic and demersal fish driving the production.
Negative food trade balance
Despite multiple attempts to increase self-sufficiency, Algeria remains dependent on agri-food imports. Agricultural products constitute the vast majority of the
country's import trade, with cereals and dairy products being the main items imported. The
fish and seafood trade balance also remained negative in recent years, registering a deficit of over 100 million U.S. dollars in 2019. In general, Algeria’s
agricultural crop exports are limited. In 2020, the main exports included sugar and horticultural products, amounting to roughly 220 million U.S. dollars and 153 million U.S. dollars, respectively.
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