Rouïba’s New Dairy Plant Begins Production Trials, Set to Bolster Algeria’s Milk Supply

The first production trials commenced on Saturday at the newly constructed dairy plant in Rouïba, Algiers, marking a significant milestone for Algeria’s dairy industry. As the largest facility of its kind in the country, the plant is expected to enhance milk supply to central regions, addressing market demands more effectively.

The inauguration was overseen by Youcef Cherfa, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, alongside Mohamed Abdennour Rabhi, the Governor of Algiers, and Samah Lahlouh, CEO of the industrial dairy production group, Giplait. The event underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening national food security.

Spanning over 4 hectares in Rouïba’s industrial zone, the facility boasts a daily production capacity of 1.4 million liters, including 1 million liters of subsidized pasteurized milk and 400,000 liters of UHT milk, which can be preserved for up to three months. Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, the plant will significantly boost Giplait’s overall production capacity to over 2.6 billion liters annually across its 16 nationwide units.

Minister Cherfa emphasized the project’s alignment with the government’s strategy to enhance food security, describing it as a “major achievement for the dairy sector” that will strengthen domestic production of this essential commodity. The Rouïba dairy plant, realized under the directive of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, was completed in a record time of 14 months.

During a press briefing following the launch ceremony, Cherfa revealed that 68 million liters of subsidized “fresh cow’s milk” have been marketed since the start of 2024. He also announced plans to gradually expand the production of partially skimmed milk, sold at capped prices, to other dairy facilities, including private ones.

Cherfa assured that the new distribution strategy has proven effective, with no significant market fluctuations observed. He confirmed the availability of sufficient quantities of milk and dairy products during the holy month of Ramadan.

When questioned about upcoming strategic projects in the agricultural sector for 2025, the minister disclosed ongoing discussions with local and international investors aimed at increasing agriculture’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), currently standing at 15%.

Samah Lahlouh, CEO of Giplait, highlighted that the Rouïba plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest quality standards. She noted that the group invested 5 billion Algerian dinars from its own funds to realize this project, which aims to deliver high-quality dairy products at competitive prices.

The launch of the Rouïba dairy plant represents a pivotal step in Algeria’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production and reinforce its agricultural sector, while ensuring affordability and quality for consumers.