In a move that reflects escalating diplomatic tensions, Algeria has excluded French companies from a recent wheat import tender.
The decision, which mirrors a similar dispute three years ago, is likely to reinforce the dominance of Black Sea supplies, particularly Russian wheat, in Algeria’s massive import market.
The French government’s July endorsement of a Moroccan plan for Western Sahara, a region Algeria supports for independence, has strained bilateral relations.
This latest move, which requires participating firms to avoid French-origin wheat, is a direct consequence of this diplomatic rift.
Algeria, a major global wheat buyer, has historically relied on France as its primary supplier. However, the recent exclusion of French companies could significantly alter this dynamic.
While Russian wheat is currently the preferred option due to price and quality factors, the long-term implications of this decision remain uncertain.
The Algerian state grains agency, OAIC, is estimated to have purchased over 500,000 metric tons of wheat in the recent tender.
The move to exclude French firms and their wheat offerings has raised concerns about the future of Algerian-French trade relations and the potential for further disruptions in the global wheat market.