Algiers – The 2026 Finance Law, signed into effect by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ahead of a Council of Ministers meeting, introduces a series of measures designed to bolster citizens’ purchasing power and improve living standards. The law is expected to contribute to strengthening the national economy and ensuring the supply of essential goods to the market.
The legislation includes a package of tax measures aimed at easing the burden on consumers and stabilizing prices. Notably, it extends tax and customs duty exemptions until December 31, 2026, on essential items such as soybean oil, coffee, dried legumes, and both white and red meats. This extension seeks to maintain affordable access to these staple goods for Algerian families.
Furthermore, the law extends the special provision applying a reduced customs duty rate of 5% on imports of live cattle and sheep intended for slaughter, as well as on packaged fresh chilled beef and mutton, until the end of 2026. This measure is intended to ensure a steady supply of meat products at reasonable prices.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on sales of imported dried legumes and rice, as well as locally produced fresh fruits, vegetables, table eggs, broiler chickens, and turkeys, has also been extended. This exemption will help keep the prices of these everyday food items stable for consumers.
The law also stipulates that crude soybean oil is exempt from customs duties and VAT. However, importers and processors of this raw material are required to either start their own production process or purchase it from the national market by December 31, 2026. This measure aims to guarantee the supply of this widely consumed commodity to the national market while promoting domestic production.
In a similar vein, the law exempts live sheep imported for Eid al-Adha between April 15, 2025, and June 30, 2026, from customs duties and a number of taxes, including VAT. Additionally, coffee imports are exempt from VAT and the domestic consumption tax, and are subject to a reduced customs duty rate of 5% until December 31, 2026.
Finally, the law authorizes the Treasury to cover interest during the deferral period and reduce the interest rate on loans granted by public banks by 100% for the construction of subsidized housing units. This measure seeks to encourage homeownership and improve housing conditions for Algerian citizens.
