The “empire of sugar” steals the Algerians through state subsidies

After three years of state subsidies applied to sugar prices with world stock prices falling down by 50 per cent and shifting from 900 dollars per ton in 2011 to 450 dollars in 2014, the value of this vital product has decreased on the world market contrary to its high price in Algeria despite the subsidies provided by the state for this important foodstuff.

In spite of the state’s support, the sugar prices on the Algerian market have increased by one hundred per cent with the Algerian citizens purchasing a kilogram of sugar for 85 dinars while its real price is valued at 45 dinars only in view of its overall estimated value on the world market.

As a result, the national association for the protection of the consumers has urged the Trade Ministry to open in-depth investigations to shed light on the disquieting matter by notably compelling frenzied importers to curtail the price of sugar as is the case in neighbouring countries.

The Trade Ministry has heeded this urgent call from the consumers’ association by ordering an exhaustive inquiry into the intricacies of the imported sugar’s ring.

Source told Echorouk that the relevant authorities would most probably compel the venal importers to review downward their selling prices of sugar by about forty to fifty percent similarly to other basic commodities especially on the eve of the holy month of fasting of Ramadhan.