ALGIERS – The kick-off of the national open doors on the export of local products, which will last until next Thursday at the level of all the wilayas, was given this Tuesday in Algiers, with the aim of promoting this sector and making its various products known.
The kick-off of this event was given by the Minister of Trade and Export Promotion, Kamel Rezig, at the headquarters of the Algerian Agency for the Promotion of Foreign Trade (Algex), in the presence of representatives of several ministerial departments. , public bodies, professional and employers’ associations.
In a speech delivered on this occasion, Mr. Rezig insisted on the imperative to pay particular attention to this sector, and this, in favor of the growing demand of the Algerian consumer for natural products without additives and without chemicals. , the cause of several diseases.
He also pleaded for “the enhancement of local products, the preservation of their natural characteristics and nutritional values, as well as the conditions of their production in order to increase their added value, to support this sector with all the means available and to bring together all the conditions necessary for its development at both local and international levels”.
More than 60 local agricultural products that can be labeled have been identified in Algeria, according to figures provided by the minister who announced the creation of a national commission, in concert with local associations with a view to promoting and labeling agricultural products in each region of the country. “A commission which works to relaunch the rural space which harbors a variety of agricultural products grown and processed by the inhabitants of each region in a family setting, capable of enabling the creation of jobs and contributing to the creation of wealth”.
The Minister affirmed, in this context, that his services are working in coordination with the ministerial sectors concerned, with a view to establishing a list of local products to be labeled, according to given conditions and biological and geographical specificities, with the aim to preserve their characteristics, especially since they are 100% local products that do not require the import of production inputs and raw materials and do not involve additional costs.
Citing the local products found in Algeria, including the dried fig from Beni Maouche and others of the same kind in the mountains of Batna, Tipasa and Bejaïa, but also grapes and certain cheeses and types of honey, the Minister insisted on the imperative to protect certain “forgotten” products like natural and aromatic plants such as white mugwort, rosemary and lentisk oil.
The value of Algerian exports of local products amounted to USD 44 million in the first 11 months of 2022, according to the minister who described this amount as “very acceptable”.
Exported to 56 countries, these agricultural products are carob, truffles, figs, dried figs, dairy products, cheeses, spices, as well as other food products specific to each region such as cakes and traditional products. , natural honey, essential and medicinal oils, pottery, jewelry and traditional clothing.
The carob tree represents the largest local product exported for a value of 31.7 million dollars, followed by date paste (2 million dollars), truffles (1 million dollars) and spices (91,000 dollars).
These open days during which a study day will be organised, constitute an opportunity for dialogue and consultation and will thus make it possible to present the concerns and obstacles encountered by the producers of this sector, in addition to the presentation of operational proposals to enhance this natural heritage and commercialize it in world markets.
This economic event includes an exhibition of several local products such as dairy products, cheeses, honey, aromatic and medicinal plants and crafts.
