Algeria: milk crisis may last for three months

Specialists expect that milk crisis in Algeria would last for three more months due to complicated administrative procedures needed in importing additional quantities of milk powder.

Two years ago, people took to the street to protest against cooking oil and sugar prices increase. Today, Algerians are concerned about the milk crisis as they consume it every day.

According to specialists, buying additional milk powder from the international market firstly needs a call for tender to choose the right operator. This would take months to collect required quantities.

President of the National Commission of Milk Producers Mahmoud Ben Chokr said the crisis is due to bad management. “The first reason behind this crisis is the milk powder price increase in the international market by 100 percent. This was clearly reflected on demand decrease for packaged milk as it is not subsidized by the government. Because of that, people prefer buying milk in plastic bags and demand went up exceeding available quantities produced by milkmen.”

He added that milk powder is distributed to milkmen in accordance to strict procedures.

Milkmen and distributers held responsible for the crisis

Press attaché at the Union of Traders and Craftsmen Hadj Taher Belnouar said Algeria experiences shortage in milk because traders do not receive enough quantities.

The Algerian commerce ministry said more than 140,000 tons of milk powder is distributed per year.