Algeria expects record olive oil production

Algeria could produce a record of more than 150 thsd tons of olive oil in the 2025/26 season, according to estimates from the National Interprofessional Council for the Olive Sector (CNIFO). This would represent an increase of around 76% from approximately 85 thsd tons produced in the previous season.

The country’s olive groves cover an estimated 440–500 thsd hectares and include more than 65 mln trees. Production growth is being supported by government programs aimed at expanding planted areas, developing irrigation and modernizing processing facilities. Algeria currently has around 1,700 olive oil mills.

The record crop could create a significant export surplus for the first time. Algeria’s domestic olive oil consumption averages 80–81 thsd tons per year, meaning that if the production forecast is realized, available supplies would substantially exceed domestic demand.

However, exports remain a weak point for the sector. Even in the best recent seasons, Algeria exported only around 1 thsd tons of olive oil. Further export growth is constrained by certification and packaging issues, high logistics costs and strong competition in the global market.

By comparison, neighboring Tunisia exported a record 368 thsd tons of olive oil worth $1.6 billion during the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, following production of around 500 thsd tons. Algeria expects its sharp increase in production to create opportunities for greater access to foreign markets, but this will require significant development of export infrastructure and sales channels.

Tags: olive oil, Algeria