Algeria, U.S. forge new trade links with dairy cow imports

ALGERIA – Algeria, Africa’s second-largest market for dairy products after Egypt, is set to deepen trade ties with the United States through a new agricultural agreement.

The North African nation has officially opened its doors to dairy cow imports from the U.S., marking a shift in its sourcing strategy and signaling new opportunities in bilateral trade.

This development follows the announcement of a partnership between Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Elizabeth Moore Aubin, shared the news on November 12, describing it as a move to support Algeria’s expanding dairy industry.

“More cows mean more milk, yogurt, and cheese. We are proud to be a reliable partner and a key supplier of quality agricultural inputs for Algeria,” Aubin said.

Until now, Algeria imported dairy cattle exclusively from the European Union, with breeds such as Montbéliarde, Holstein, and Jersey forming the backbone of its dairy herd.

The inclusion of American dairy breeds, renowned for their high productivity—estimated at 11 tonnes of milk per cow annually—marks a diversification of Algeria’s trade sources.

The agreement aligns with Algeria’s broader strategy to reduce its dependence on dairy imports by bolstering local production. Recent government-led projects aim to enhance processing capacity and increase domestic milk output.

For instance, three industrial projects scheduled for completion by early 2025 are expected to boost Algeria’s milk production by 3,500 tons daily.

Currently, Algeria imports significant volumes of powdered milk to meet local demand, a costly expenditure for the government.

To address this, large-scale investments in dairy farming and processing are underway, including a US$3.5 billion project by the Qatari group Baladna. Spanning 117,000 hectares in the wilaya of Adrar, the project is poised to deliver 200,000 tons of powdered milk annually by 2026.

For U.S. agricultural exporters, the new agreement represents an entry into a thriving market with increasing demand for quality inputs.

Beyond dairy cattle, this partnership could pave the way for further agricultural trade, such as feed, equipment, and other agribusiness services.

The U.S. has positioned itself as a key ally, offering not just products but also expertise to support Algeria’s ambitions in achieving dairy self-sufficiency.

With an estimated dairy herd of 900,000 cows, Algeria must significantly expand its livestock numbers to match its processing capacity.

The strategic choice of U.S. imports reflects not only the productivity of American breeds but also the broader potential for enhanced trade relations between the two nations.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.