Algiers: Qatar’s leading dairy producer, Baladna, has announced plans to build the world’s largest integrated dairy complex in Algeria, in a landmark $3.5 billion project aimed at transforming the country’s dairy industry and reducing reliance on imports.

The dairy complex will be located in the Adrar province in southern Algeria, covering 117,000 hectares and housing a herd of 270,000 cows. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 200,000 tons of powdered milk annually, which would account for roughly half of Algeria’s current national demand for the product.

The project is a joint venture between Baladna and the Algerian government through its National Investment Fund. Baladna will hold a 51 percent stake in the venture, while the Algerian state will retain 49 percent. The partnership aims to boost local employment, with an estimated 5,000 jobs expected to be created during construction and operations.

Advanced technologies will be deployed throughout the complex, including intelligent irrigation systems and automated barn management, ensuring both efficiency and sustainability in production. These innovations are intended to maximize resource utilization and enhance productivity, contributing to Algeria’s goal of strengthening food security.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first powdered milk production anticipated by late 2027. This project represents a major step toward Algeria’s self-sufficiency in dairy products and demonstrates the potential for international collaborations to drive sustainable agricultural development.

The initiative highlights Algeria’s commitment to reducing its dairy imports, which currently exceed 400,000 tons annually, and signals a new era of large-scale agricultural investment in the country.