Algeria has introduced nationwide potato price caps, setting a maximum retail price of 90 Algerian dinars per kilogram and a wholesale ceiling of 80 dinars per kilogram, according to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Trade and National Market Regulation reported by Ennahar Online.
The ministry said the Algeria potato price caps are part of measures to regulate supplies of widely consumed agricultural products. It called on traders across the country to comply with the new ceilings and respect the rules governing marketing and distribution.
Potato price ceilings across the supply chain
The ministry’s announcement establishes the maximum wholesale price at 80 dinars per kilogram and the maximum retail price paid by consumers at 90 dinars per kilogram.
In a separate report on the same measure, the General Union of Algerian Traders and Craftsmen said potatoes are being offered at between 60 and 70 dinars per kilogram at producer level. The union welcomed the authorities’ decision and urged wholesalers and retailers to comply strictly with the capped prices.
The union said traders seeking supplies at the stated prices could contact its offices and branches across Algeria. According to the organization, it can direct traders to producers and farmers offering potatoes in the 60–70 dinar range, while retailers can be directed to approved wholesale markets where the capped wholesale price is 80 dinars per kilogram.
The ministry did not provide details in the supplied statement on how long the price ceilings will remain in force, possible penalties for non-compliance or specific enforcement mechanisms.
Traders’ union expects broader market impact
The General Union of Algerian Traders and Craftsmen said it expects the measure to help regulate the market and support consumers’ purchasing power while protecting the interests of professionals.
It also blamed brokers, speculators and other intermediaries for what it described as unjustified increases in potato and other vegetable prices. The union called for such practices to be reported and urged traders to reduce profit margins on other products.
The organization described potatoes as a widely consumed staple with a significant influence on the wider vegetable market. It argued that stable potato prices and adequate supplies could contribute to greater stability in prices for other vegetables.
The union also predicted that vegetable prices could stabilize and decline noticeably in the coming days if products remain available and supply and distribution channels remain controlled. That forecast reflects the union’s assessment rather than an outcome established by the ministry’s announcement.
The group praised government efforts to supply and regulate the market and highlighted President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s attention to purchasing power. It also commended traders and farmers that it described as acting responsibly.
The Algeria potato price caps apply to wholesale and retail markets nationwide, with the ministry calling on all concerned traders to respect the specified prices and the regulations governing the different stages of distribution.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.