Maghreb States Perspectives Regarding Imports and Exports of Food Products

Abstract

Food security is seen as an element of population welfare and even of social and political stability. Agriculture has an essential role in the aim of food security for a region or a country; in this paper the agricultural sector in the countries of Central Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and its role in their food security as well as self sufficiency is analyzed. First, some macroeconomic indicators directly related with food security, showing the main structural aspects of primary sector and the role of agriculture in the economy of the three countries are reviewed. Afterwards a study is made of the basic agricultural and livestock products, pointing their contribution in terms of surface, production and yield. Finally, some restrictions to food security based on environmental conditions and utilization level of technological resources are analyzed, providing some indications of actual and potential lines for improvement of the agrarian sector.