Why did Algeria become dependent on imported food?

Algeria’s transition from a food-exporting nation in the 1950s to one that imports a significant portion of its food needs is the result of several interconnected economic and environmental factors following its independence.1

Since independence, agriculture has been a neglected sector of the economy, characterized by underinvestment, poor organization, and successive restructuring efforts. Key factors contributing to this shift include:1

• Economic Prioritization: The government shifted its focus toward rapid industrialization driven by the extraction and production of petroleum and natural gas, which became the dominant sectors of the economy.2
• Agricultural Decline: Viticulture, once a mainstay of colonial exports, declined markedly due to cultural shifts regarding alcohol consumption and restricted access to French markets.13
• Structural Challenges: The sector has suffered from legal disputes over landownership following privatization programs in the 1980s, as well as the loss of productive land due to civil strife in the 1990s.1
• Environmental Constraints: Aridity limits cultivable land, and the country faces ongoing pressure on its limited water resources to meet urban and industrial demands.1