Imports of wheat and milk have increased considerably in the first nine months of 2004, compared to the same period last year, according to a press release of the Algerian Central Bureau of Statistics, based on customs reports.
The director of regulation at the Algerian ministry of agriculture, Amar Assabah attributed this to changes in the exchange rate and the competitiveness of the international food market. He said the increase was not a relative increase, only an absolute increase in the total amount imported.
Algeria imported US$597,26 million of milk in the first nine months of 2004 as opposed to US$514 million in 2003 and approximately US$737 million of wheat in the first nine months of 2004 as opposed to US$710 million in the same period in 2003.
Quoted in local press sources, Amar Assabah, said this increase has not and will not affect the domestic market. (menareport.com)
