Algeria has instructed its urea manufacturers to stop all shipments to France, deepening the trade conflict between the two countries during an ongoing diplomatic dispute. Industry contacts and diplomats confirmed the order, which threatens to cut off nearly 30% of France’s fertilizer imports—a development that will worsen financial pressures on farmers already dealing with raised costs.
The restriction comes after relations deteriorated sharply following French President Emmanuel Macron’s endorsement in 2024 of a proposal for greater autonomy in Western Sahara under Moroccan administration. While both governments sought to repair ties last year, fresh tensions have emerged. In late July, Algeria imposed a near-total ban on French imports, according to six European diplomats.
France’s foreign ministry stated it had not received an official notification of the urea export ban, emphasizing that trade matters fall under the European Union’s authority. The ministry said it would track developments closely. Diplomats reported that Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot addressed the broader trade restrictions during an EU foreign ministers’ meeting on October 12, though Algerian officials denied introducing any new measures when questioned by French representatives.
Trade volumes between the two nations have already fallen. French exports to Algeria declined by 12% to €4.2 billion in 2025, while imports, primarily oil and gas, dropped 18% to €5.1 billion that same year. By August 2026, exports had fallen another 12%, and imports were down 11%.
Unlike previous trade restrictions, which targeted specific products such as French wheat, this latest move appears specifically aimed at France rather than the EU as a whole.
France’s agricultural sector, the largest in the EU, could face further difficulties if urea supplies become scarcer. Farmers are already struggling with rising fertilizer prices after disruptions from the Iran war reduced Gulf supply routes. Higher gas costs, a critical input for fertilizer production, also threaten the upcoming planting season, according to Cédric Benoist, deputy secretary general of the AGPB wheat growers association.
Questions remain about whether the export halt will fully take effect. Emmanuel Nizon, head of public affairs at the Afcome fertilizer industry group, noted that shipment volumes depend on pricing and market conditions, leaving the immediate impact uncertain. For now, the disruption risks exacerbating France’s agricultural challenges amid already heightened political tensions.
Political stakes and lack of official notice
The dispute is politically sensitive for President Macron’s government, which faces pressure to shield households and producers from rising costs. It must also contend with a sharp deterioration in relations with Algeria, a topic that often polarizes French politics. France experienced some of the worst unrest in years last weekend, and a farmer confrontation over fertilizer supplies could add pressure. Sources say Algeria has not made a formal announcement on urea exports or French imports, and the reasons for the new restrictions remain unclear.
“Squeezing France ahead of time guards against that, since it’s always easy to ease the pressure later.” Algeria cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates last month, heightening regional tensions. The UAE has also officially firmly backed Morocco over the Western Sahara.
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