The Algerian government has allocated USD 14 billion to build three fertilizer plants by 2020, with a total installed capacity of 35 million tons per year, a senior official at state-owned oil and petrochemicals giant Sonatrach told Zawya.
"Sonatrach will announce international tenders in the second half of 2013 to choose partners for the plants. The plants will be located in eastern Algeria, at Tebessa, Souk Ahras and Skikda," the person said on condition of anonymity. The three locations are close to phosphate mines.
"We already are negotiating with some Spanish companies in this regard," the person said.
Abderrahmane Mebtoul, former head of the Algerian National Privatization Council, said he believes such a massive investment in fertilizer production will "put Algeria on the top of production countries in Africa".
"Not only will the installed capacity of 35 million tons per annum take care of domestic consumption, which is currently about 300,000 tons per year, but will leave a significant portion for export to other African countries whose economies are dependent on agriculture," Mebtoul told Zawya.
Fertilizer consumption in Algeria stood at 487.85% of production in 2009, according to the latest available World Bank data, forcing the mainly hydrocarbons-dependent economy to import such products. The Bank reviewed consumption statistics for nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers, including ground rock phosphate. Traditional nutrients - animal and plant manures - were not included.© Zawya 2012
