Tazej Group’s owner denounces bureaucratic obstacles: “A brake on investment in food industry”

ALGIERS- Bureaucratic practices in Algeria are a real obstacle to investment, particularly in the agro-food sector. This is the observation that the Golden Drink group, which markets the Tazej fruit juice brand, has just made. In a report published by Dzair Tube and quoted by Agrialgerie, the group denounced the difficulties encountered in embarking on animal production.

The group had launched a major project in arboriculture in the Hauts-Plateaux to no longer depend on the importation of fruit concentrates necessary for the production of juices. The project is based on a 1,500-hectare farm on which several types of fruit are produced. The production of fruits is intended for their transformation into raw materials for the manufacture of juice, jam, and biscuits.

Despite the difficulties, Tazej managed to rise to the challenge by exploiting the land between M’sila and Djelfa. Two basins with a capacity of 650,000 m3 and 250,000 m3 were built on site for irrigation. Apple trees and other fruit trees are planted on this land.

Group officials have even planned to move to the export stage. “Algeria imports 800 million dollars of fruit concentrate each year, whereas we can easily supply quality products with 50% of the production intended for export,” said Salim Amra, head of the Golden Drink group, which markets the Tazej brand.

However, the group denounces bureaucratic obstacles that prevent the project from moving into animal production. “We are faced with bureaucratic obstacles with the Ministry of Agriculture without finding solutions. The project is at a standstill, we cannot go beyond the stage of planting fruit trees”, regrets Salim Amra.

According to him, it is the delay in the awarding of concessions that is delaying the execution of the procedures for obtaining approvals as well as the building permits and consequently the construction of the processing plant and the cattle and chicken fattening sheds.

However, the project seems to adhere to the approach of the country’s high authorities in terms of agricultural recovery. As for the production of juice concentrate, Salim Amra affirms that his project would “cover the needs of his group and those of the local market with the possibility of exporting abroad”.

It is important to emphasize that the local production of juice concentrate can have positive economic spinoffs. “You should know that a barrel of pomegranate concentrate costs around €2,300. It is more expensive than a barrel of oil to get an idea of the positive impact of local production of juice concentrate,” he explains.

Bureaucratic obstacles in Algeria therefore represent a real challenge for investment in the agri-food sector.