Algeria, a country rich in culinary traditions, is the scene of a new case of speculation on foodstuffs, this time concerning rice. Two individuals, an importer, and a trader, were apprehended and imprisoned in Boumerdès, an episode revealing the issues linked to food security in the country. This investigation highlights the complex workings of food speculation and the draconian measures the authorities took to deal with it.
The Hunt for Speculators
It all started on December 30 when National Gendarmerie forces intercepted a truck transporting a cargo of rice to the commune of Boudouaou, located in the Boumerdès region. This truck, belonging to an import and packaging company, aroused suspicion among law enforcement. During the excavation, they discovered no less than 505 tonnes of rice.
Subsequent investigations revealed a worrying pattern. The importer, who was supposed to put the rice in bags, had in reality sold the goods as is to a wholesaler, thus circumventing the rules established for the importation and distribution of foodstuffs in Algeria.
Anti-Speculation Measures
Since February 2023, only the Algerian Cereals Office has been authorized to import rice and pulses. This restriction was put in place to combat speculation on consumer food products. Speculators, who seek to profit from growing demand, now face severe penalties, up to 30 years in prison. The new law to combat speculation, promulgated in December 2021, even provides for life imprisonment in the event of speculation carried out by an organized criminal group.
A Fierce Fight for Food Security
After affecting products such as edible oil, flour, and sachet milk, speculation has now extended to dried vegetables and rice in Algeria. Food security is a major concern for authorities, and they have taken drastic measures to address it. The granting of the monopoly on the import of dried vegetables and rice to the Algerian Interprofessional Cereals Office (OAIC) in February 2023 aimed precisely to regulate the market and put an end to speculative practices.
The struggle continues
The rice speculation affair in Algeria illustrates the complexity of the issues linked to food security in the country. The authorities are engaged in a fierce fight to protect consumers and guarantee access to basic foodstuffs at reasonable prices. Food speculation remains a major challenge, but ongoing legislative measures and enforcement operations show the authorities’ determination to end these harmful practices.
The arrest of the importer and trader in this rice speculation case sends a strong message: speculation on foodstuffs will not be tolerated in Algeria. As the country seeks to strengthen its food security and fight against illegal practices, vigilance remains required to preserve access for all to affordable, quality food.
