Ministry Sets $5 Billion Non-Hydrocarbon Export Goal

Algeria has set a target to achieve $5 billion in non-hydrocarbon exports by the end of 2026. This goal follows a period where overseas sales approached $4 billion in the first eight months of 2026, representing an increase of nearly 10% compared to the same period in 2025. These figures were outlined by Zouheir Moussaoui, a central director at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, during an appearance on National Radio’s Dhayf Es-Sabah programme.

The current export trend is described as encouraging, with agri-food exports reaching $213 million during the first eight months of 2026, a 15% year-on-year rise. This sector's growing role is evident in products such as biscuits, chocolate, cheese, olive oil, canned foods, margarine, sauces, and spices, reflecting expanded domestic manufacturing capacity. Algeria has also achieved self-sufficiency in several agricultural and food-processing segments, including beverages, pasta, biscuits, confectionery, and prepared foods like sauces, with confectionery and biscuit products now sold in nearly 30 foreign markets.

To sustain this growth and strengthen the contribution of non-hydrocarbon exports, national export fairs are actively used to showcase Algerian products, industrial capabilities, and the quality and diversity of local production. These events facilitate connections between producers and consumers, aiding businesses in identifying new markets and developing trade partnerships. Achieving the $5 billion target is central to Algeria’s broader drive to diversify its economy, increase foreign-currency earnings, and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, with a longer-term focus on consolidating market access for Algerian products in global trade.