ALGIERS: Algeria’s grain imports reached 3.2 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2016, down 8.5 percent from a year earlier, despite higher soft and durum wheat purchases, official data showed on Sunday.
Algeria, one of the world’s largest grain importers, has said it would try to reduce its import bill in an attempt to offset a fall in world crude oil prices, which has cut state revenues. Soft wheat imports rose to 1.6 million tonnes from 1.55 million tonnes, while durum wheat purchases were up at 510,830 tonnes from 509,140 tonnes, according to customs figures.
Barley import volumes dropped to 182,550 tonnes from 286,052 tonnes, while maize purchases fell to 906,393 tonnes from 1.15 million tonnes in the first three months of 2015. The overall value of grain imports declined 25.7 percent to $698 million due to lower prices. Algeria’s grain harvest reached 4 million tonnes for 2015, up 14.3 percent from the previous year.
