Himayatec Calls on Bottled Water Producers to Disclose Reference Prices for Each Brand

Algeria’s consumer protection organization Himayatec has urged bottled water producers to publish reference prices for each brand, criticizing the lack of pricing transparency and calling for greater clarity over the companies covered by the latest industry pricing guidance.

By Hana Saada

ALGIERS — Algeria’s consumer protection organization Himayatec has called on beverage producers to fully uphold the principles of transparency and consumer protection after reviewing a recent statement issued by the Algerian Association of Beverage Producers on the prices of mineral and spring water in the domestic market.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organization expressed surprise that the producers’ communiqué had been released only in French without an accompanying Arabic version. It argued that excluding the country’s official language limits citizens’ direct access to accurate information and said the statement should have been published in both languages.

On the commercial front, Himayatec criticized ambiguity in the announced pricing. The producers’ statement recommended a retail price ranging between 240 and 250 Algerian dinars for a six-bottle pack but did not specify the reference price for an individual bottle or clarify whether the recommendation applies to all bottled water brands or only selected producers.

In response, Himayatec called for the publication of a detailed reference price list for each brand, saying such a measure would enable consumer protection associations and regulatory authorities to effectively monitor market practices and detect pricing irregularities.

The organization also urged the Algerian Association of Beverage Producers to disclose the identities of the companies operating under its umbrella by publishing an official list of member producers and the brands covered by the announced pricing recommendations, describing the move as essential to strengthening transparency in the market.

Himayatec reaffirmed its commitment to continuing field monitoring of retail prices across Algeria’s provinces while maintaining close coordination with the relevant authorities to relay consumers’ concerns and protect their purchasing power against unjustified commercial practices.

The differing positions come as Algeria experiences peak summer temperatures in 2026, when demand for bottled mineral and spring water typically reaches its highest levels.

Consumer protection associations have assumed an increasingly prominent advisory and oversight role in Algeria, working alongside the Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion to monitor market conditions and safeguard consumers’ interests.

Their field activities are supported by Algeria’s legal framework aimed at combating illegal price speculation and preserving market stability. Through awareness campaigns, market monitoring and continuous reporting, these organizations contribute to curbing commercial abuses and promoting transparent transactions between producers, retailers and consumers.