Overseas
New strategic axis for Italy-Algeria cooperation on fisheries and aquaculture
During the Italy-Algeria Intergovernmental Summit held on July 23 at Villa Doria Pamphilj, attended by Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a new strategic axis was launched for bilateral cooperation in fisheries, agri-food transformation, and technological exchange.
Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, welcomed Youcef Cherfa, Algeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, at the MASAF headquarters to formalize two new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
The first MoU covers broad collaboration in agriculture, fisheries, and food processing. Its aim is to build resilient, integrated supply chains that address global food security and climate change challenges. The second MoU is focused specifically on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, establishing a framework for joint programs in technical assistance, capacity building, specialized training, and skills transfer across both primary and secondary sectors.
Boosting Italy Algeria cooperation on fisheries for sustainable regional growth
The strengthened Italy Algeria cooperation on fisheries aims to develop regional production systems that generate added value through innovation and sustainability. Core technical elements of the partnership include the exchange of best practices in marine resource management, traceability, certification, and advanced technologies for both extensive and intensive aquaculture.
The summit also explored the Bonifiche Ferraresi initiative, currently the largest Italian agro-industrial investment in Africa. Located in Algeria, the project features a vertically integrated model that combines cultivation, logistics, and food processing facilities. This model, with its strong employment impact, could be replicated in the fisheries sector.
Trade and regulatory alignment for better market access
On the regulatory and trade front, discussions included expanding the list of eligible origins for plant product imports—particularly floricultural ones—by easing restrictions imposed during the Xylella emergency. Italy also reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support in food quality, certification, post-harvest technologies, and value enhancement of local products, including fish and seafood.
This enhanced cooperation fits into a broader geopolitical strategy positioning the Mediterranean as a core area for economic proximity policies. The goal is to promote sustainable industrial development, with aquaculture and artisanal fisheries acting as engines of stability and growth for both countries.
Towards resilient and integrated fish value chains
With the signing of these two Memorandums, Italy and Algeria lay the foundation for building integrated, resilient, and sustainable fish value chains. The roadmap includes public-private partnerships, knowledge transfer, and productive investments—a pragmatic vision that restores the centrality of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation as a catalyst for joint economic development.
Subscribe to Pesceinrete’s weekly newsletter for exclusive insights from the seafood industry.
