A nationwide strike by freight transport operators that began last Thursday is increasingly affecting daily life in Algeria. The work stoppage has disrupted distribution networks and is already having a visible impact on the availability and prices of essential consumer goods.
The truck drivers are protesting a proposed amendment to the road traffic code and are also opposing recent fuel price increases, which they say have reduced their profit margins. For now, the strikers show no sign of returning to work without concessions. Their stance is a source of concern not only for households but also for businesses and public authorities, who fear that the logistics disruption could develop into wider social tensions at the start of 2026.
Fruits and vegetables are the first sector to be affected. Wholesale markets in the northern part of the country are operating at reduced capacity and are beginning to feel the direct effects of the truck drivers’ strike. As deliveries slow, market stalls are gradually emptying. Prices have risen accordingly at most retail points.
The situation has also brought activity to a near standstill in two major agricultural hubs in the Mitidja plain. The wholesale markets of Boufarik and Bougara, both located in the province of Blida, are largely inactive. These markets normally supply Algiers and much of the central region, and their paralysis has tightened pressure on national supply. Truck traffic from production areas has become rare, leaving key distribution platforms undersupplied.
In the eastern part of the province of Bouira, shortages are becoming increasingly apparent. Fruits and vegetables are less available in neighborhood markets, and prices have risen sharply. A roadside produce vendor in the Bechloul area reports having far fewer items to sell than usual.
Unprecedented price increases
This break in the logistics chain is directly affecting household budgets. The price of potatoes, for example, rose from 70 dinars per kilogram before December 31 to 95 dinars on Monday, January 5. Tomatoes increased by about 40 dinars over the same period. Seasonal fruits have also seen notable price hikes. A similar situation is reported in the province of Béjaïa, where wholesale markets are receiving supplies only in very limited quantities. Observers warn that if the strike continues, remaining stocks could be exhausted, raising the risk of broader consumer anxiety.
