• Ukraine approves cattle exports to Algeria after health certification
• Move opens Algerian market, diversifying live cattle supply sources
• Decision aligns with Algeria’s tax incentives boosting cattle imports

Ukraine’s State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection said on Jan. 26 it had approved health certificates authorising the export of Ukrainian cattle to Algeria, covering animals intended for slaughter, fattening and breeding. The move effectively opens Algeria’s market, from a regulatory standpoint, to cattle from Ukraine.

“Opening these export markets is an important step in strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Algeria,” a statement published on the Ukrainian government website said. It added that the decision confirms Ukrainian products comply with the importing country’s veterinary requirements.

The decision enables Algiers to diversify its international sources of cattle supply. Data compiled from the Trade Map platform show the North African nation imported nearly $18.5 million of live cattle in 2024 from Brazil, Ireland, Germany, Poland and Italy.

An Algerian context favourable to imports

Under the 2026 Finance Bill, the Algerian government adopted a series of tax relief measures to support the live cattle trade. Imports of cattle for slaughter will be fully exempt from customs duties, VAT, bank domiciliation taxes, solidarity contributions and withholding taxes. The exemption applies from Nov. 15, 2025, to June 30, 2026, a period that coincides with Eid el-Adha, a major religious holiday in the country.

After that period, the government decided imports of cattle for slaughter would benefit from a reduced customs duty rate of 5% until Dec. 31, 2026.

Algiers has also been working since 2024 to raise local beef production to reduce its dependence on imports. On Dec. 12, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture set up the National Commission for the Strengthening of Red Meat Production in the capital, Algiers. The working group is mandated to develop solutions to expand the national sheep and cattle herds, increase red meat production and reduce imports in this food category.

According to FAO data, Algerian beef imports rose nearly tenfold in one year, increasing from 10,328 tons in 2023 to 91,579 tons in 2024. The United Nations agency estimates purchases reached 115,000 tons in 2025. The surge suggests the local industry is unable to adequately meet domestic market demand.

In that context, the North African country is expected to turn to live cattle imports to relieve pressure on the national herd if it intends to reduce its dependence on meat imports.

Stéphanas Assocle