Algeria excludes French companies from wheat import tender and demands participating firms not to bid grain with French origin. This step by the authorities of the North African country, as reported by Ag. Reuters, is a consequence of the tension in relations between Algeria and France.
According to Reuters on Tuesday, French companies did not receive an invitation to participate in a regular auction held by the Algerian Inter-Professional Grain Agency. In addition, the companies admitted to the tender were advised not to offer French wheat.
Algeria is one of the largest buyers of wheat in the world. For many years, France has been a key supplier to the North African Republic.
There has been tension in relations between Algeria and France for several months now. On July 30, the Algerian authorities decided to immediately recall their ambassador to France due to the fact that official Paris recognized Morocco's plan to grant autonomy to Western Sahara as the only basis for resolving the conflict. Algeria has supported the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence for many years.