Algeria

In Algeria, fresh potatoes are primarily cultivated along the Mediterranean coast, where the mild climate allows for year-round production. This region benefits from favorable weather conditions that support consistent harvesting throughout the year.

Additionally, potatoes are grown at higher elevations, around 500 meters, in the hills and valleys that stretch between the coast and the Atlas Mountains. These areas, along with the high plateau regions, offer suitable conditions for potato farming, contributing to the diversity of growing zones across the country.

Potatoes were introduced to Algeria in the mid-1800s during French colonial rule and were initially cultivated mainly for export to French markets. Following Algeria’s independence from France in 1962, the role of the potato began to shift, becoming an increasingly important crop for domestic consumption. Over time, potato farming expanded beyond the coastal regions, reaching the hills, valleys, and high plateaus between the Mediterranean coast and the Atlas Mountains.

In more recent years, the desert town of El Oued emerged as a new and innovative potato-growing region, where farmers successfully cultivate potatoes in the heart of the Sahara using irrigated pivot systems.