Bread market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Senegalese bread market volume contracted from 21 875 t to 15 811 t. This decline occurred alongside the implementation of a government-administered price ceiling for bread, which resulted in very low margins for over a thousand fragmented bakeries, constraining their operations. The COVID-19 pandemic in 0 further disrupted international wheat supply chains and increased costs for fuel and transport, placing additional pressure on the sector.

A sharp 42% increase in global wheat prices in 2021 prompted the government to temporarily suspend import duties and VAT on wheat to maintain the bread price cap, which was later adjusted upward in December. These interventions, alongside the dominant role of a milling oligopoly, helped stabilize the market, with volume reaching 15 722 t. Market volume then recovered to 19 389 t in 2022 and 20 151 t in 2023, supported by a period of relative regulatory stability despite ongoing wheat market disruptions from the Ukraine crisis, which complicated price approvals.

In 2024, authorities issued a new order fixing the ceiling price for bread in Dakar and reduced the price of a sack of flour from 19 200 FCFA to 15 200 FCFA, backed by a 75 billion FCFA funding package for essential goods. In response, the Association of Millers and Industrialists of Senegal suspended bread production in protest against the price cuts, highlighting the tension between consumer price regulation and the economic viability of producers.

Production bread in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Senegal's bread production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 13 305 tonnes of bread, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 10.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports bread from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 54 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Senegal's bread exports amounted to 72 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 22.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 56.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 74.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea, Mali, and Bunkers remained the top buyers of bread from Senegal. Guinea accounted for 30.3% of exports in kind, Mali for 24.9%, and Bunkers for 18.4%. Together, these three markets represented 73.6% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Senegal in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Senegal's bread export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 232 thousand US dollars worth of bread, reflecting a robust uptick of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 142 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 44.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Senegal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Bunkers, Guinea, and France stood out as the main markets for Senegal's bread exports in value terms. Bunkers accounted for 29.3% of exports, Guinea for 26.7%, and France for 12.1%. Together, these three markets represented 68.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Senegal in value, 2017-2020

Imports bread to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's bread imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of bread, down by 58.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 70.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 33.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 491 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary source for Senegal's bread imports in kind, accounting for 77.6% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Senegal in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Senegal's bread import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 3 496 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gradual decrease of 5.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 697 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Senegal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Turkey clearly dominated the partner structure for Senegal's bread imports in value terms. Other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Senegal in value, 2017-2020