Trading sources told a Western media outlet on Wednesday that Algeria has barred French companies from participating in its latest wheat import tender, requiring firms to avoid offering French-origin wheat.
This decision comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France, potentially tied to France's recent support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, which has angered Algeria.
Historically, France has been Algeria's primary wheat supplier, but over 500,000 tonnes of wheat were reportedly purchased in this week's tender, and French firms were notably absent.
It remains unclear how long this exclusion will last, but it echoes a previous dispute between the two countries three years ago that temporarily sidelined France from Algeria's wheat market.
Neither Algeria’s grain agency nor French authorities have provided official comments on the situation.