ALGERIA – State-owned Algerian dairy company Giplait has inaugurated a new milk processing facility in Bouïra, a step in Algeria’s efforts to reduce dependency on milk imports.
The plant, initially capable of producing 80,000 liters per day, will eventually ramp up to 250,000 liters daily, contributing to the country’s strategic goal of enhancing local milk production.
Addressing Algeria’s milk deficit
Algeria currently consumes an estimated 4.5 billion liters of milk annually but produces only 2.1 billion liters from its 1.8 million dairy cattle. To bridge this gap, the country heavily relies on importing powdered milk, which costs US$800 million annually.
Giplait’s new facility aims to mitigate this dependency, aligning with the government’s broader plan to produce 3,500 tons of milk daily by early 2025.
The Bouïra plant is the third major project for Giplait and the Algerian government in 2024.
Earlier in the year, a collaboration with Qatar’s Baladna Food Group launched a 170,000-hectare facility in Adrar, targeting an annual output of 1.7 billion liters of milk. Additionally, Giplait inaugurated a 5,057-square-meter facility in Adrar in July.
By February 2025, Giplait plans to open a second facility in Rouiba, which is projected to be the largest milk production plant in Africa with a capacity of 1 million liters per day.
International partnerships
In a move to enhance the local dairy sector, the Algerian government has partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to import U.S. dairy cows.
This partnership also includes scientific exchange programs on livestock management, dairy production, and beef production chains, fostering agricultural ties between the two nations.
Expanding consumer access
Giplait has also focused on improving product penetration in key markets. In April 2024, the company opened six new retail outlets in Oran, adding to its existing network of 130 points of sale across Algeria.
The initiative aims to make its portfolio of fresh milk, butter, cream, yogurt, cheese, and over 180 other products more accessible to consumers.
