El Oued potato harvest starts on 20 November

El Oued will start its potato harvest on 20 November, when the crop starts reaching national markets from a yearly output of more than 16 million quintals.

Awras reported the figures, citing the Algeria Press Service (APS) and local agricultural services. The output comes from two growing seasons, and non-seasonal potato makes up most of it.

Non-seasonal potato produces more than 12 million quintals a year, while seasonal potato yields about 3.8 million quintals.

Jelloul Othmani, head of the wilaya agricultural chamber, said non-seasonal potato covers nearly 35,000 hectares. The area has stayed stable over the six seasons from 2020-2021 to 2025-2026, he said.

That area is about 35% of the 100,000 hectares of farmland cultivated in the wilaya. Awras reported that seasonal potato covers about 11,000 hectares, or 31% of the total area for the crop.

El Oued remains at the top of Algeria's potato-producing wilayas, supplying between 40% and 60% of national output in recent years. Awras also reported that potato makes up about 60% of the value of local plant production.

Larbi Behloul, wali of El Oued, said the harvest reaching markets from 20 November would support supply and help keep prices stable.

About 450 trucks leave the wilaya's farms and fields every day, carrying potatoes to markets across the country. Each truck carries about 100 quintals, the wali added.