Algeria lifts rice import suspension for licensed shipments through year-end

Algeria has reinstated rice import permissions for companies holding licenses valid through Dec. 31, market participants told Platts.

Industry sources said that a Nov. 25 notification that prevented banks from accepting domiciliation requests related to ongoing rice import shipments has been withdrawn.

Earlier, on Nov. 25, Algeria suspended rice imports by adding Parboiled & Basmati rice HS Codes in its import prohibition list, but the official document did not clarify the status of ongoing shipments or previously issued import quotas.

A Bangkok-based trade source said the earlier government notification suspending rice import permits "has now been canceled," allowing all previously approved cargoes to move normally.

"Any shipment that has been booked and loaded within this month, with documents in the bank before the deadline, will be endorsed. The bill of lading dated before Dec. 31 is likely to be the key requirement," the source said.

The clarification comes from a letter dated Nov. 29 from Algeria's Association of Banks and Financial Establishments, referencing the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, which stated that operators who already have received approval for their import plan for the second half of 2025 before Nov. 25, 2025, are not affected by the new restriction.

Market participants noted uncertainty over Algeria's longer-term import policy.

"We don't know if new provisions will be issued for six months or a full year," the Bangkok-based source said, adding that authorities are managing a wide portfolio of food commodity imports, including grains, cereals, wheat, corn, white rice and pulses, and have indicated the need for increased private-sector support. "For now, everything booked under existing licenses can proceed as usual."

Thailand's exports to Algeria totaled 51,039 metric tons from January to October, up 123% year over year.

Indian market likely to see continued demand from Algeria

"There is an inquiry [for Algeria] but no confirmation yet," a Uttar Pradesh-based exporter said, adding that more trades for Algeria are likely to happen by importers who have quota amid the end-of-December deadline.

"But overall demand is lesser and Algeria impact we will be able to see from January because some will be still completing contract those have permits issued till 25 Nov," a Gujarat-based exporter said, adding that buying would continue until Dec. 31.

"[Indian] parboiled prices are not coming down because Djibouti and Somalia have very good demand right now and some demand from Saudi too for Ramzan free foods," the same exporter said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed Indian PB 5% at $349/mt FOB on Dec. 1, up $9/mt month over month. Thai PB 5% increased $23/mt week over week to $374/mt FOB.

Rice imports to Algeria are expected to continue through December under existing licenses, while uncertainty over future policies could affect trade and prices in early 2026.