Algeria is strengthening trade with Spain after a long-running diplomatic spat. The Association of Banks and Financial Institutions informs Algerian banks that the import of fresh meat from Spain is authorized by the Algerian authorities.
On the eve of the fast approaching month of Ramadan, the Algerian authorities aim to supply and strengthen the Algerian market with various food products, especially poultry and red meat, which are in high demand in Algeria during the month of Lent.
Mohammad Mezkhache, director general of the Ministry of Commerce’s Economic Control and Fraud Suppression, announced the authorities’ objectives for Ramadan 2024 on national radio. 100,000 tonnes to supply all the provinces of the country,” he said.
After poultry inputs, red meat is authorized for import from Spain
After authorizing poultry imports from Spain, ABEF also announced the authorization of fresh red meat imports from Spain. In a note addressed to the banks’ general directors on Monday, February 5, ABEF announced: “In addition to our shipment referred to above, we have the honor to inform you that the importation of fresh meat from the Kingdom of Spain is authorized. .
ABEF added in the same note, that banks have been asked to “inform the concerned (their) services that they require presentation of an authorization issued by the services of the Ministry of Agriculture for any habitat for the import of this product”.
Relations between Algeria and Spain are straining
The decision by the Algerian authorities expresses a thaw in relations between Algeria and Spain, which have experienced a serious crisis since March 2022, following the sudden change in its position on Western Sahara by the government of Pedro Sánchez. The Spanish official attached himself to the Moroccan position in violation of United Nations resolutions and international law.
The Algerian reaction was not long in coming, with the authorities immediately recalling the Algerian ambassador to Madrid. Shortly after, the friendship treaty between the two countries, which expires in 2022, will be unilaterally suspended by Algeria, which will cause a significant break on trade and put hundreds of Spanish companies in trouble.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Spanish leaders are happy with the normalization of trade relations between the two countries. Like Agriculture Minister Luis Planas who commented on the authorization granted by Algeria in January to import poultry inputs from Spain. “This is good news and I hope that our exporters will find this important market in the Mediterranean, in which the poultry sector and others are traditionally present,” he stressed.
