Algeria targets feed supply to unlock aquaculture growth, double output by 2026

ALGERIA – Algeria is accelerating aquaculture development, focusing on feed supply, as the government targets production of 20,000 tons by 2026 to reduce a widening domestic fish deficit and strengthen food security.

The plan, announced following a national stakeholder meeting on April 23, combines increased fish stocking, expanded farming capacity and new investment in aquafeed production to address one of the sector’s biggest cost constraints.

Authorities aim to scale up output by boosting juvenile stocking and expanding farms. 

Around 80 million seabream and seabass juveniles will be released this season, up from 50 million in 2025, while 28 marine farms are currently operational with additional cages and production zones under development.

Feed remains central to the strategy, accounting for a significant share of production costs. 

To address this, the government is reviving and expanding local feed manufacturing capacity to reduce reliance on imports and stabilise input prices.

A key project is the restart of a fish and shrimp feed plant in Ouargla, developed in partnership with South Korea and managed by the National Office for Animal Feed. 

The facility is in its testing phase and is expected to supply specialised feed, particularly for shrimp farming.

Private sector participation is also increasing, with a new aquaculture feed unit, AviFish, now operational in Bouira, adding to domestic supply capacity.

According to the World Economic Forum, feed supply constraints in Africa push aquaculture production costs 10% to 20% above the global average, largely due to dependence on imported raw materials. 

Algeria’s push to localise feed production is therefore expected to improve competitiveness and margins across the value chain.

Incentives target feed and input investment

To attract further investment, the government introduced new fiscal incentives under the 2026 finance law. 

These include customs duty exemptions and reduced VAT on imported raw materials used in aquafeed production, as well as lower VAT rates for locally produced feed.

Authorities expect the measures to lower operating costs, stimulate private investment and support long-term sector growth.

Despite these efforts, aquaculture remains underdeveloped relative to demand. 

Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show Algeria produced 82,366 tons of fish in 2023, with 93% coming from capture fisheries.

With domestic demand estimated at around 127,000 tons, the country faces a supply gap of approximately 45,000 tons, highlighting the urgency of scaling aquaculture.

By strengthening feed supply, expanding farm capacity and improving investment conditions, Algeria is positioning aquaculture as a key lever to close this gap and reduce reliance on imports over the medium term.

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