More than 211 million euros. This is the bill that Alicante companies have had to pay so far due to the diplomatic dispute between Spain and Algeria since mid-2022, when exports to the African country were blocked. Sectors such as textiles, footwear, plastic and marble are among the worst affected and they therefore celebrate the efforts made by both countries to normalize relations and revive business activities. However, they regret that the lost sales can no longer be regained. They warn that it will be very difficult to win back customers, given that they are looking for alternative suppliers during this period..
Following the change in the position of the Government of Pedro Sánchez on Western Sahara, Algeria decided to suspend its commercial activities with Spain, except for gas, in June 2022. However, what was thought to be a tempest in a teapot continued over time and had a full impact on Alicante’s exports. Actually, the province’s strong connection to the African countryThis situation, which is the result of proximity and maritime connections, has led to particularly important economic repercussions.
All in all, more than a year and a half after the conflict began, a window of hope appears to be opening with talks in which both countries are having to try to return to normal. In fact, as a sign of good will, The Algerian Administration decided to lift the veto on Spain’s poultry products and red meat exportsIt is structured as a secret progression requiring further steps.
And those in Alicante, especially those most affected, celebrate these contacts without hiding their skepticism. This is the situation of the textile industry, which lost 53.7 million euros in sales abroad due to this crisis.. Pepe Serna, President of the Association of Textile Entrepreneurs of the Valencian Community (Ateval), underlines that although exports have not been officially suspended: “The obstacles are so great that it is practically impossible to sell anything there.”. And he regrets that Spanish foreign policy does not take into account the consequences for economic sectors.
Marián Cano, president of the Valencian Footwear Entrepreneurs Association (Avecal), expresses himself in similar terms. The sector whose exports have stopped is 18.4 million euros. “We are not aware of the talks, but we hope that a market that is important to us can recover,” he emphasized. Although he makes no secret of the difficulties, he adds: “When you are replaced by another supplier, it becomes more difficult to re-establish a business relationship.”
There was a loss of 18.4 million in plastic as in shoes. Héctor Torrente, director of the Ibiae employers’ association, representative of the cluster based in Foia de Castalla, agrees with the fact that “a political conflict cannot affect private interests” and that if relations are restarted, “We are there again, although it is complicated.”
Marble finally left 3.2 million on the sidelinesThis is even more difficult considering that the Algerian Government maintains protectionist policies towards the mining industry. Luis Horcajuelo, president of the Mármol Alicante association, took this up in practice, stating that “at the moment it is not a priority destination.”
Reactivation of the line from the port of Alicante
The gradual thawing of relations between Spain and Algeria directly affected the ferry line connecting the port of Alicante to the African country. This is evidenced by port traffic figures recently published by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, in which 162,952 passengers boarded the ship last year, i.e. 36,204 more than the previous year. The increase in activity was also notable for passenger cars, which reached 41,432 units following an increase of 9,613 units.
Those responsible for the port and the Government Sub-Delegation began to prepare the Bosphorus Crossing Operation (OPE) for the coming summer, and in this sense the first contact was made between the new head of the Port Authority, Luis Rodríguez, and the port authority. the new subdelegate is Juan Antonio Nieves.