(Agence Ecofin) – Senegal is one of the main markets for milk and derived products in West Africa. The country, seeking self-sufficiency in food, is strengthening its cooperation with strategic partners with a view to improving local production.
In Senegal, Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, carried out an exchange and experience-sharing mission for the benefit of the dairy sector in Uganda with Bright Rwamirama, his counterpart in charge of the Animal Industry in the East African country. The announcement was made in a press release published on Friday January 10.
According to the authorities, discussions between the two parties focused on four strategic axes. These include the development of dairy production infrastructure, the promotion of cooperative systems, technological innovations in dairy farming and support for breeders for sustainable and competitive production. “These inspiring sharing of experiences will pave the way for solutions adapted to Senegalese realities to strengthen the national dairy sector and reduce our dependence on imports”we can read in the press release.
Indeed, Uganda is a net exporter of dairy products due to growing milk production whose volume has increased by almost 20% to 3.85 million tonnes in 2023, after official data. The East African country has also doubled its export revenues this year.
For the Senegalese sector, the challenge of cooperation with this East African country is to find solutions to stimulate the productivity of dairy farms and reduce the bill associated with imports. According to a report published last July on the Senegalese dairy market, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that the West African country imports approximately 50% of its dairy product needs.
In its latest monthly bulletin on foreign trade, the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) indicates that the country of Teranga imported more than 27,700 tonnes of dairy products with an estimated value of 53.4 billion CFA francs ($83.5 million) over the first ten months of 2024.
Stéphanas Assocle
Edited by Wilfried ASSOGBA
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10/22/2024 – Senegal joins the International Dairy Federation
Senegal
