Rabat – Trade between Algeria and Spain hit a new low record due to Algiers’ decision to block trade activities with the Spanish government last year.
Data from the Spanish Ministry of Trade said that Spain’s exports to Algeria totaled €6.2 million in February, with Spanish media describing the number as a “ridiculous figure for Spanish companies.”
The data stressed that sales to Algeria amounted to €17 million in the first two months of 2023, representing a 94% decrease compared to 2022.
“Hundreds of millions of euros have been lost in trade with Algeria since the African country broke relations with Spain last June,” OkDiario reported.
Pedro Sanchez’s government endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan last year as the “most serious and credible” solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Spain’s decision triggered frustration in Algeria’s regime, which finances, hosts, arms, trains, and supports the Polisario Front, the separatist group claiming independence in Western Sahara.
In response to Spain’s decision, Algeria announced the suspension of a 20-year-long treaty of friendship to impose a blockade on Spain’s industrial activities in the Algerian market.
Meanwhile, Spanish data shows significant improvement in Spain-Morocco trade activities in 2022.
“The balance between what is sold and what is bought by Spanish companies from Morocco has increased by 527 million euros,” according to OkDiario.
Spain remains a key importer of Moroccan goods, including fruit and vegetables.
Quoting recent data, FreshPlaza said that 46% of Spain’s vegetables come from Morocco.
Spanish imports of fruit and vegetables rose by 12.8% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Stressing the importance of cooperation, the two countries are determined to strengthen bilateral ties and trade activities.
Last week, Sanchez described Morocco as a “fundamental ally” for the economic development of Spain.
“Morocco is a friendly country, a fundamental ally for the economic development of Spain and our gateway to Africa, as well as a fundamental ally for our security and management of immigration in our country and the whole European continent,” Sanchez said.
The two countries agreed to boost diplomatic ties following a year-long political row in 2021, when Spain triggered Morocco’s anger after hosting Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization.
Spain’s decision to endorse Morocco’s autonomy initiative ended the Morocco-Spain spat, with the two countries determined to continue to reinforce cooperation at all levels and sectors.
