Algeria has reportedly ordered domestic producers to stop exporting fertiliser to France, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
The reported restriction threatens a trade relationship worth approximately $219 million annually.
According to Reuters, five diplomatic and industry sources confirmed that Algeria had instructed producers to suspend shipments of urea fertiliser to France.
The move follows growing tensions over French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
However, neither the Algerian government nor the affected producers had publicly confirmed the restriction as of October 23.
Algeria’s fertiliser exports face restrictions
Algeria is one of France’s largest suppliers of urea, a nitrogen-rich fertiliser widely used in agriculture.
In 2025, France imported approximately 481,000 tonnes of Algerian urea.
Those shipments were worth around $219 million, according to trade figures from the United Nations Comtrade database.
As a result, Algeria accounted for roughly 25% of France’s total urea imports.
Egypt remained France’s largest supplier, providing approximately 33% of imports.
The reported restriction could therefore create challenges for French agricultural suppliers.
Furthermore, importers may need to secure alternative sources before the next planting season.
France may seek alternative fertiliser suppliers
Urea plays an important role in agricultural production because it provides nitrogen that helps crops grow.
European farmers rely heavily on imported fertiliser.
High natural gas prices and production costs have made domestic manufacturing more expensive in several European countries.
Consequently, France depends on international suppliers to meet agricultural demand.
If Algeria maintains the reported restriction, French importers could increase purchases from Egypt, Germany and the Netherlands.
Other international producers may also benefit from the change.
For example, Nigeria could potentially expand its fertiliser exports to European markets.
However, Nigerian shipments to France remained relatively small in 2025.
Meanwhile, Algerian producers may also need to find new buyers for shipments previously destined for France.
Western Sahara dispute fuels tensions
The reported trade restriction comes amid worsening diplomatic relations between Algeria and France.
Tensions increased in 2024 after President Emmanuel Macron backed Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara.
The proposal would grant the disputed territory autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
However, Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.
The disagreement has remained a major source of tension between Algeria and Morocco.
France’s decision to support Morocco’s position further strained its relationship with Algeria.
Since then, the dispute has expanded beyond diplomacy into economic relations.
In July 2026, Algeria reportedly introduced an unofficial restriction on most French imports.
The latest reported measure would affect trade in the opposite direction by limiting Algerian exports to France.
Algeria could also face economic losses
Although the reported restriction could pressure French agricultural suppliers, it may also affect Algerian exporters.
France purchased around one-quarter of its imported urea from Algeria in 2025.
Losing access to that market could force Algerian producers to redirect significant volumes of fertiliser.
However, Algeria has other major international customers.
In 2025, European Union countries purchased approximately $528 million worth of Algerian urea.
Other important markets included Brazil, the United States, Canada and Argentina.
These countries could provide alternative destinations for Algerian shipments.
Nevertheless, existing contracts, shipping costs and international prices may affect how quickly exporters can find new buyers.
Trade dispute raises wider economic concerns
The reported fertiliser restriction highlights the growing economic consequences of tensions between Algeria and France.
What began as a diplomatic disagreement over Western Sahara has increasingly affected trade between the two countries.
For France, the immediate concern is maintaining a reliable fertiliser supply for agricultural production.
For Algeria, the challenge involves protecting export revenues while responding to its diplomatic dispute with Paris.
However, the full economic impact remains uncertain.
Neither government has publicly confirmed how long the reported restriction could remain in place.
For now, French importers and Algerian producers face uncertainty over a trade relationship worth more than $200 million annually.