A few slices of bread, plates with olive oil, visitors flock to taste the olive oil from Algeria.
Next to it are dates and oranges that attract attention “can we taste it? asks a lady. Algeria’s stand at the International Agricultural Show (SIA) in Paris is well attended.
Several Algerian producers are present at the SIA 2022 with their production of early vegetables, fruits, olive oil, carob, and essential oils. Open since Saturday, February 26, it will close on Sunday, March 6 at the end of the day.
The Tahraoui company specializing in the production of greenhouse vegetables presents its productions. This company from the Biskra region is one of the pioneers in the use of multi-span greenhouses.
“Today, the plants are grafted and planted in coconut fiber. The fertilizers arrive with the irrigation water, the surplus is recovered and analyzed. This makes it possible to modulate the contribution of the following doses of fertilizer, ”explains M’hamed Tahraoui to TSA.
On the CATM stand, Tahir Tahar, technical manager, presents the group’s achievements: development and partnership with pilot farms for fruit production. On the wall, screens display these achievements: plantations of fruit trees lined up as far as the eye can see, irrigation water storage basins as wide as football fields, fertilizer injection station.
“We have two ultra-modern machines that allow us to calibrate, wash and package our products,” he says. The products are brought back from the production sites by refrigerated trucks to Tessala El Merdja (Algiers) where the traders come to get their supplies.
“They know that the products that are in the middle of the crate are the same as those arranged above,” he continues. A sign that Algerian products are particularly appreciated, our interlocutor interrupts the interview for a moment. A visitor does not take an orange but tries to fill a bag. “Please, we only take one fruit to taste”, he is obliged to remind.
The Algerian company Boublenza exhibits its flagship product, carob powder. The packaging is neat. After manufacturers, it is the general public that is targeted with a product packaged in sachets. These are stored in a cardboard holder in the colors of the company that can be placed on the shelves of supermarkets.
Benhabib, the quality manager, tells how this company gave shape to a product that had been abandoned until then. Today, everywhere in Algeria, the collection of carob pods is progressing. The enthusiasm is such that it happens that the pods are even harvested before maturity, which is not without risk for the quality.
The date range does not go unnoticed. Visitors throng and do their shopping. Everything has been planned, even the credit card terminal. The Hadda company which runs the stand specializes in the production and importation of Deglet Nour from Sartrouville.
“The best in the world”
Right next to it, the crowd throngs in front of the two stands displaying olive oil. The Mohammedi oil mills are represented by the owner himself: Mohammedi Mohamed who made the trip from Tizi-Ghenif (Tizi-Ouzou). “I am an agricultural engineer and I own about ten hectares and an oil mill,” he explains.
The bottles are of beautiful green color and so that the consumer cannot doubt their origin, the name of the brand is marked in capital letters on the label “Kabilia”.
“How much is the bottle of oil asking a visitor? The advertised price of ten euros appeals and the bottles pass from hand to hand. A visitor takes three “for me and to offer,” he says. “The best in the world”, launches a young girl.
Leaning against the stand, a kid hands over the pieces of bread which he dips in oil and swallows with pleasure”. The exhibitor is obliged to make a call to order: “We must leave some for everyone”.
During the opening, the Algerian ambassador to France toured the exhibitors. The stands are an opportunity for contacts. Exhibitors and professional visitors exchange business cards or meet in spaces away from the crowds. A dinner bringing together the exhibitors has been planned at Rungis in the Paris suburbs.
Around the stand of Algeria mingle the words in French, Kabyle, Arabic; all to a background of Senegalese music coming from a nearby stand in this part of the Exhibition Center devoted to world agriculture. At the SIA, the revival of agriculture in Algeria will not have gone unnoticed.
