Tires join list of lacking goods in Algerian market

Algeria’s drastic import cut policy has caused a severe shortage in all sorts of tires in a country where queues for basic goods have become the new norm.

Restrictions to curb the outflow of hard currency in the import reliant country have hit several sectors in Algeria including cars and car parts and tires, leading to shortages that seriously increase traffic risks.

Algerian inter-city transporters, including buses, are already complaining of shortages that triggered price hikes in the market, according to Algerian media Algerie360.

The Algerian transporters union (UNAT) said many buses had to be immobilized due to unavailability of tires in the Algerian market.

The lack of tires poses a serious threat to traffic safety with the country already suffering from high traffic-related deaths.

Despite its oil and gas wealth, Algeria failed to develop petrochemical industries such as tires making, leaving the market dependent on imports.