Decidedly, the Algerians have not yet finished with the drastic drop in their purchasing power. After cars and air conditioners, fruits, and vegetables, the rise in prices is hitting rice and pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas) head-on at the start of August 2023.
Thus, in the space of a few days, the prices of these basic foodstuffs in the diet of Algerian families have seen their prices double. Standard lentils are sold at 440 DA/kg, red lentils display 300 DA/kg, and white beans reach 350 DA/kg; as for rice, it went from 150 DA/kg to 300 DA/kg.
These dizzying increases are all the more disconcerting to Algerians since the importation of rice and pulses is the exclusive responsibility of the Cereals Interprofessional Office ( OAIC ). Indeed, last February, the Ministry of Commerce banned the import of these foodstuffs to private operators.
However, with regard to rice, part of the explanation seems to be in the rise in its price on the world market following India’s decision on July 20 to ban the export of rice. non-basmati white. Knowing that India represents 40% of the world’s rice trade.
Moreover, the latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published on August 4, indicates that the prices of all types of rice have risen by 19.7% in one year, to reach their highest level since September 2011, i.e. for twelve years.
OAIC publishes official rice and pulse prices for wholesalers, retailers, and consumers
In response to the many questions that these price increases have raised among Algerian citizens, the Interprofessional Cereals Office (OAIC) published a note in which it specifies the official prices of pulses imported at its points of sale, for businesses, wholesalers, retailers and consumers:
Chickpea: companies (350 DA/KG); wholesalers (355 AD/kg); retailers (360 AD/kg); consumers (380 AD/kg).
Lentils: companies (250 DA/KG); wholesalers (255 AD/kg); retailers (260 AD/kg); consumers (280 AD/kg).
White beans: companies (250 DA/KG); wholesalers (255 AD/kg); retailers (260 AD/kg); consumers (280 AD/kg).
Rice: companies (130 DA/KG); wholesalers (135 AD/kg); retailers (140 AD/kg); consumers (160 AD/kg).
On reading this document, which dates from July 30, 2023, we note the clear difference between the prices of the OAIC and those charged by traders, especially with regard to rice. The latter simply sees its price double, going from 160 DA/ka to 300 DA/kg.
Based on this unquestionable observation, some are questioning the relevance of the decision to grant the monopoly on the import of pulses to the OAIC . For many observers, this measure has only accentuated the crisis, where it was supposed to solve it.
