Algeria Banned Entry Of 50,000 Tons Of Spanish Earthenware And Ceramics

Algeria’s decision to ban the entry of Spanish-made ceramics, earthenware and tile products under import licenses has resulted in losses to Spanish manufacturers estimated at 50 million Euros (over 500 billion centimes) since last April.

The total quantities banned from entering Algeria have reached around 50,000 tons.

According to the latest figures issued by the external trade chamber of the port of Castillon, quoted by the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo”, the ceramics and tiles producers and exporters set their accrued losses at about 50 million Euros due to the prohibition of the entry of their products to Algeria, pointing out that the decline in exported quantities reached 94% since 1 April 2017.

The source pointed out that the exports of these materials to Algeria amounted to 137 thousand tons from January to August last year, a decline of 25 percent compared to the same period last year, meaning that it was unable to export a quantity of 50 thousand tons, and the drop has attained nearly 94 percent since 01 April, coinciding with the date of issuance of the Algerian authorities’ decision to subject these products to import licenses.

According to the source, Spanish manufacturers and exporters have deployed strenuous efforts to end Algerian restrictions on Spanish imports of ceramics, tiles and earthenware, pointing out that these endeavors are bilateral between Algeria and Spain, with on focus leverage from the European Union at the request of the Spanish side on this vexed trading issue.

According to the same source, the attempts and efforts to put an end to the Algerian restrictions on imports came mainly from the European Union, as Algeria is not a member of the World Trade Organization and does not abide by the rules of world trade activities.

“The Spanish side does not want a confrontation with Algeria regarding the entry of Spanish-made ceramics and earthenware exports to the region,” said Mr Gimo Boig, a senior official in the local Government of Valencia province.