Joint Venture to Meet Half of Algeria’s Powdered Milk Demand

Algeria has temporarily halted cattle imports in anticipation of a significant dairy farming and milk powder operation being established through a joint venture with Baladna. This initiative represents an overall investment of $3.5 billion, developed in partnership with the Algerian government via the National Investment Fund. Initial spending on the project's first phase has already exceeded $500 million, signaling substantial progress in its development.

A central component of the project's second phase involves a large-scale airlift of more than 30,000 Holstein cows from the United States to Algeria. Baladna described this ambitious undertaking as among the largest coordinated movements of livestock by air globally, planned across 109 flights over ten months. The company has prioritized air transport for enhanced biosecurity and veterinary oversight, ensuring the efficient and timely integration of the herd into the operation.

The integrated operation is designed to feature a processing plant built by GEA, complemented by a network of farms capable of housing over 270,000 cows across 117,000 hectares. Construction of the powder facility is reportedly well advanced, with expectations that its completion will fulfill up to half of Algeria's demand for powdered milk. Furthermore, the facility is projected to create 15,000 employment opportunities within the local Algerian community, reinforcing national food security and economic growth.