Algeria has set an ambitious target to boost its annual date export revenues to $250 million as part of a new national strategy to strengthen the sector. The plan aims to expand Algeria’s export footprint from the current 57 countries to 150, positioning its date industry more prominently in global markets. Key elements of the strategy include improving packaging standards, enhancing cold chain logistics, and curbing smuggling, which has long undermined formal trade. By addressing these structural challenges, the government hopes to unlock the full export potential of Algerian dates—especially the prized Deglet Nour variety—and significantly increase foreign exchange earnings from the agri-food sector.
Algeria, the world’s seventh-largest date exporter by volume, is ramping up efforts to double its date export revenues through a newly launched national strategy. Dates are the country’s second-largest agricultural export after sugar, and the government now aims to increase earnings from $108.4 million in 2024 to $250 million annually while expanding its export reach from 57 to 150 countries.
Trade Minister Kamel Rezig announced the creation of a special commission on June 10 to evaluate current marketing conditions and draft measures to boost global competitiveness. The move is part of a broader campaign to enhance the international profile of Algerian agricultural products, particularly the premium Deglet Nour variety.
In 2024, Algeria exported nearly 67,000 tons of dates, but experts warn that structural barriers could hamper growth. Industrial analyst Abdelmadjid Khobzi pointed to substandard packaging, weak global branding, smuggling, and poor post-harvest preservation as major hurdles. Inadequate cold chain logistics also affect export quality and shelf life.
The new commission, operating under the Ministry of Commerce, is expected to recommend actionable solutions to modernize the sector and support Algeria’s push to solidify its standing in global date markets.
