Algeria opens door to Brazilian sheep imports amid prolonged drought

ALGERIA – Algeria has approved the importation of live sheep from Brazil, marking a significant shift in its livestock supply strategy as the country battles the effects of a five-year drought that has crippled domestic production.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the agreement on August 19, highlighting that the deal not only provides Algeria with an additional source of live sheep but also grants Brazil a new export market in North Africa.

Algeria’s livestock sector has been severely affected by prolonged dry spells, which have devastated grazing rangelands and depleted fodder reserves across the high plateaus. 

As a result, local farms have struggled to maintain herd productivity, leaving the government with little choice but to rely on imports to meet consumer demand.

In 2024, Algeria imported US$7.8 million worth of live sheep exclusively from Romania, according to Trade Map data. 

The new arrangement with Brazil is intended to reduce dependence on a single supplier, ensuring a steadier and more resilient flow of animals into the country.

“The situation of livestock in Algeria is very degraded because of the scarcity of feed in the rangelands,” Ali Daoudi, a professor at the National Institute of Agronomy, told Algerian Radio earlier this year.

The shortfall was particularly visible during the Tabaski festival in June, when authorities approved the import of one million sheep from international markets to guarantee supply for the religious holiday. 

Analysts note that such a large-scale measure had not been necessary the previous year, underscoring the worsening pressures on local farmers.

Strategic push for food security

Beyond imports, Algeria is also taking steps to bolster long-term livestock resilience. In May, the government inaugurated its first national livestock feed production unit in the wilaya of Biskra, developed by the Centre de Recherche Scientifique et Technique sur les Régions Arides (CRSTRA).

“This initiative represents a significant step in transforming scientific research into locally produced, high-quality products,” said Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Kamel Baddari during the facility’s launch.

The unit will produce scientifically formulated cattle feed at competitive prices, aimed at easing shortages and supporting the country’s ambition of food self-sufficiency.

With animal feed imports projected to rise from 55.6 million kilograms in 2023 to nearly 61.8 million kilograms by 2028, the facility is seen as a critical intervention.

Brazil eyes new export frontiers

For Brazil, the deal opens fresh opportunities to diversify its agricultural exports, which are traditionally concentrated in Asia and the Middle East. 

Strengthening trade relations with Algeria, the second-most populous country in North Africa after Egypt, could pave the way for broader engagement across the region.

As Algeria works to navigate the dual challenges of drought and rising protein demand, the agreement signals both immediate relief through imports and longer-term investments in sustainable livestock production.

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