Agricultural Sector Sees New Price Regulation, Farmer Support

The National Chamber of Agriculture (CNA) has introduced a comprehensive array of measures aimed at regulating the prices of widely consumed agricultural products while simultaneously bolstering support for the nation's farmers. These initiatives follow a recent meeting between the Prime Minister and representatives from various agricultural sectors, underscoring the state's commitment to both protecting citizens' purchasing power and recognizing farmers' crucial contribution to food security.

Key among the announced measures is a firm "zero-tolerance" policy targeting intermediaries and speculators involved in the food supply chain. To ensure market stability, all supply chains will now be subject to stringent control by competent services, extending from the farm directly to the consumer. Furthermore, the storage of agricultural products outside declared frameworks will be closely monitored, and operators are being urged to release existing stocks, particularly potatoes and chicken, to help stabilize prices. As a direct intervention, the price of potatoes has been capped at 60 to 70 DA per kilogram at the farm level, with wholesale and retail prices set between 80 and 90 DA per kilogram. The CNA has identified imbalanced profit margins within supply chains and an excessive number of intermediaries as primary causes for recent price volatility, impacting both producers and consumers.

Efforts to support agricultural production include providing direct assistance to farmers and ensuring the consistent availability of essential inputs and production means. A dedicated "green corridor" will be established within the Ministry of Agriculture for imported inputs vital to both plant and animal sectors, with coordination handled by the Ministry of Foreign Trade. These specific products will also be exempt from registration on the national digital platform. Additional support measures encompass the absence of taxes for farmers and the removal of post-declaration controls on production. The immediate settlement of debts owed by agricultural operators to the Algerian Society for the Regulation of Agricultural Products (SARPA) has also been announced, alongside instructions to public banks to finance agricultural sectors with streamlined procedures and faster application processing times.

To ensure continuous oversight and implementation, a vigilance and monitoring cell will be established, involving representatives from various agricultural sectors. This cell will operate under the supervision of the Prime Minister at the central level and regional governors (walis) locally, convening monthly to track a forthcoming roadmap. The CNA has also called upon producers of vegetables, potatoes, and fruit trees to sustain their production efforts and prioritize direct sales to wholesale markets or designated producer-to-consumer outlets. This ongoing coordination, involving the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, along with regional authorities, aims to address persistent challenges, reinforce the farmer's pivotal role in food security, and safeguard consumer purchasing power.