Post-covid revival in Senegal: the government focuses in particular on the agricultural sector, which employs about 60% of the working population. The aim is to strengthen food sovereignty, but also to promote the export of fruit and vegetables produced in Senegal. An ambition was confirmed at the first international agricultural fair in the north held near Saint-Louis (in the north of the country) at the end of last week (from 4 to 6 June).
Cherry or olive tomatoes “Origin Senegal”, these trays are marketed under the Doona brand, we find them in European supermarkets, but also in Russia. They are produced by the company des Grands Domaines du Sénégal.
“The export of cherry tomatoes is about 10,000 tons per year. We have marketers in France, England and the Netherlands. From these three countries of entry, our transfers are now available throughout the European Union, in Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and as far as Russia, ”said Mamadou Ndiaye, Doona’s Administrative and Financial Manager.
Spain itself is a major producer of tomatoes, but the company relies on cultivation during the low season. “The cherry tomato needs sun. Our exports take place between November and May, during a period when Spain does not have the best conditions for producing cherry tomatoes,” states Mamadou Ndiaye again.
Another company that exports fruit and vegetables: SCL, a company with vegetable crops, based in Diama, in the Saint-Louis region. It has the status of “free exporting company” and must therefore export at least 80% of its production. “We have sweet corn, over 20 million sweet corn that is exported to England every year. We have different kinds of peppers and green beans, which now also go to Holland, describes Hélène Ndiaye, sales manager. We hope we can get other customers ”.
To promote Senegalese agricultural products, the government agency Apix promises to support investment and major jobs in marketing. “Today, the state of Senegal is setting up agropoles. This means working with the implementation of the industrialization process. “If we are to set up an agropolis in the Saint – Louis region today to support the horticultural industry, there must be factories behind this packaging and storage work and transport these products to larger markets, especially Dakar, and for export to subregional and international markets”. states Pape Amar, head of the internal marketing department.
Increased export volumes would also make it possible to balance the trade balance, emphasizes Pape Ibrahima Sow, Marketing Manager for the Port of Dakar: “Almost 70% of the containers that come to Senegal return empty. Agriculture should therefore be promoted so that we can export more. “
Another challenge: diversification of agricultural products offered for export. According to Apix, cut flowers and decorative foliage are today an underused range of Senegal
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