ALGERIA – In a strategic move to bolster Algeria’s growing aquaculture industry, the Ministry of Fisheries and Fish Production has partnered with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish an aquaculture feed factory in Ouargla’s Hassi Ben Abdellah region.
Once completed, the facility will produce an estimated 10 tons of aquaculture feed daily, primarily for Algeria’s domestic market.
This development is expected to address one of the major bottlenecks in Algeria’s aquaculture: the availability of high-quality, locally produced feed for fish and shrimp farmers.
Algeria, with its extensive Mediterranean coastline and inland freshwater resources, is well-positioned for both marine and freshwater aquaculture.
The nation has seen rapid growth in its aquaculture sector, with production rising from just 351 tonnes in 2000 to 5,436 tonnes in 2020, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This impressive 14.68% annual growth rate surpasses the regional and global averages, positioning Algeria as a key player in North African aquaculture.
However, aquaculture still contributes only 6% of Algeria’s total fisheries production—a gap the government is keen to bridge by setting an ambitious target for aquaculture to comprise 50% of national fish production by 2030.
South Korea’s ambassador to Algeria, You Ki-Jun, highlighted the aquafeed factory as a cornerstone in strengthening bilateral cooperation and boosting Algeria’s aquaculture potential.
KOICA has supported similar aquaculture projects worldwide, such as establishing the Korea-Zanzibar Friendship Hatchery Centre in East Africa and collaborating with Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture to distribute fish food pellets.
This Algeria project will leverage KOICA’s expertise and successful models from other countries, bringing technical support and capacity building to Algerian fish farmers.
Increased domestic production of aquafeed can significantly reduce Algeria’s reliance on imports, which have been rising due to the high local demand for seafood.
In 2020, Algeria imported US$120 million worth of aquatic products, with tunas, bonitos, and billfishes accounting for about half of this volume.
The planned facility is expected to alleviate some of these import needs by enabling local fish farms to increase production, particularly in species like gilthead seabream, which already comprises 60% of Algeria’s marine aquaculture output.
Despite its potential, Algeria’s aquaculture industry faces several constraints, including limited financing, inadequate infrastructure, and technical capacity issues. Land and water access challenges and complex regulations have also impeded growth.
KOICA’s involvement is expected to address some of these obstacles through investments in infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and technical assistance.
By establishing this facility, Algeria aims to bolster fish production and support employment and economic growth, especially in Ouargla province.
The factory is set to create new jobs during construction and operation, offering opportunities in an arid region that will benefit from aquaculture’s development.
This initiative aligns with Algeria’s broader goal of achieving 200,000 tonnes of total fish production by 2030, emphasising aquaculture’s critical role in food security as capture fisheries continue to decline.
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