(SenePlus) – Senegal is actively preparing for the celebration of the Tabaski 2025, a religious holiday of great social and commercial importance in the country. According to official estimates, no less than 830,000 sheep heads will be necessary to meet national demand.
Faced with this considerable need, the country will have to count on the import of around 250,000 sheep, or almost a third of the total required. Mauritania, a traditional partner of Senegal in this area, is committed to providing the majority of these imports.
In this perspective, the Senegalese Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Breeding, recently made a working visit to Mauritania. This approach is part of the instructions given by the President of the Republic and the Senegalese Prime Minister to guarantee the smooth running of this “historic meeting” between the two nations.
The Mauritanian authorities have expressed their “determination to take the necessary measures to support breeders and cattle traders” in order to ensure optimal supply of the Senegalese markets. The two countries will also work together on transhumance management and strengthening their cooperation relationships.
For its part, Senegal has already implemented several facilitating measures for Mauritanian importers, in particular:
- The softening of vehicle control carrying the sheep
- The exemption from duties and taxes on sheep intended for the Tabaski
- The authorization of three shepherds per truck to monitor animals during transport
These provisions will be in force from April 18 to July 22, 2025, allowing Mauritanian merchants to continue the sale of their cattle even after the celebration of the party.
This reinforced cooperation between the two neighboring countries illustrates a “shared interest”, as pointed out in a Mauritanian operator: “We need to market our cattle, and you need this resource.” The ministerial visit ended with the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at monitoring the recommendations for the Tabaski 2025.
