Algeria suspends urea exports to France
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Algérie 360
Algeria has asked its producers to stop exporting urea to France, which relies on this market for about 30% of its imports. Three diplomats and two industrial sources confirmed the instruction to Reuters, while Paris is seeking more Algerian oil and liquefied natural gas.
Algeria has asked its urea producers to suspend exports to France, according to Reuters, which cites five diplomatic and industrial sources. Three diplomats confirmed that they were aware of the instruction, which had been circulating in the sector since the week before its disclosure on 23 October.
Algerian supplies account for about 30% of French urea imports, according to Afcome, the sector’s trade association, and AGPB, the wheat producers’ union. This nitrogen fertiliser is used notably for arable crops.
The suspension follows Algeria’s halt to purchases of French wheat in 2024 and an informal ban on imports of French products since the end of July, according to Reuters. Paris has raised the issue of trade restrictions at European Union level.
On 20 October, France also requested an increase in deliveries of Algerian oil and liquefied natural gas, according to a report on French demands for energy. Trade between the two countries reached €11 billion in 2024, according to a report published on 21 September.
