Algeria: Potato prices sky high
Despite the fact that local harvest has begun the prices of potatoes has exceeded 100 dinar. The problem can be seen when it is considered that, in February prices were only 45 dinars per kg.
The result is that potatoes, an import part of local cuisine, have become a luxury item, unaffordable for the average consumer.
The high prices have been blamed on last winter's heavy snow and poor traffic flow hampering harvest and delivery.
"Don’t forget, Algeria has witnessed a heavy wave of freeze and torrential rains that hampered several areas, prevented farmers from reaching their fields and affected the ability to transport farm products to the market," Algeria’s Minister of Agriculture Rachid Benaissa recently told parliament.
Experts say that some traders purchased large quantities of potatoes and stored them away, awaiting high prices, causing a shortage of produce.
"Speculators tend to store potatoes, taking advantage of the lack of competent authorities’ control," head of Union for Algerian Free Farmers Salah Gaid said in a statement.
Exacerbating the problem is the ban on certain fungicides useful for potato cultivation as a result of their use in explosive devices by local terrorist organisations. The reduced supply of fertilizers to farmers has made the land become less fertile and less productive.
Source: www.coastweek.com
