Algerije
After Solanum tuberosum's introduction to Algeria, in the mid-1800s, potatoes were grown mainly for export to French markets. By national independence from France, in 1962, farmers were harvesting on average 250 000 tonnes a year, with about one third marked for export.
Since then, the potato has become an increasingly important crop for domestic consumption, with production in 2013 exceeding 4.9 million tonnes. Potato is grown over an area of over 160 000 ha, and can be planted and harvested somewhere in Algeria in virtually any month of the year.
The main fresh potato growing areas are along the Mediterranean coast, where a mild climate permits year-round production.
Potatoes are also grown at elevations of 500 m in hills and valleys between the coast and the Atlas Mountains, and in high plateau areas.
More recently, desert town El Oued has developed itself as a potato growing region. In El Oued, potatoes are grown in irrigated pivots in the middle of the Sahara desert. As of 2016, around 40% of the total production of Algeria took place in El Oued.
This aerial photo by George Steinmetz submitted at Italian photo festival La Gacilly in 2015 shows how potato cultivation in the region around El Oued has been developed using pivot irrigation.
Annual potato consumption in Algeria has increased from 35 kg in the early nineties to around 65 kg in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Algeria's potato production is concentrated in El Oued, Aïn Defla, Mostaganem and Mascara, with additional output from Bouira, Tlemcen, Tipaza, Skikda and Boumerdès. Potato is one of Algeria's most important vegetable crops and a major part of the country's domestic food supply.
Algeria combines Mediterranean growing conditions in the north with winter cultivation in the Sahara, especially in El Oued, where potatoes are grown with irrigation on sandy soils. This mix of regions lets Algeria harvest potatoes across several seasons and keep markets supplied for most of the year.
Primeur potatoes are early-season potatoes harvested before the main crop and sold at a premium. In Algeria, they are grown mainly in coastal wilayas (provinces) such as Boumerdès, Tipaza and Skikda, where mild Mediterranean winters allow early planting.
The potato was introduced to Algeria in the mid-19th century, during French colonial rule. Early cultivation developed in the north, and part of Algeria's production, especially early potatoes from the coast, was originally grown to supply French markets.
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This content was last updated on augustus 17, 2026
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