Millet market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The Senegalese millet market experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. The launch of the PRACAS 2 program in 2018 provided a policy framework aimed at boosting the competitiveness and sustainability of local cereal production, including millet. After a dip in 2019, output rebounded strongly in 2020, supported by continued government commitment under the Emerging Senegal Plan and enhanced agricultural data collection, which improved planning for the sector.

Production contracted in 2021 due to unfavorable weather conditions and reduced access to key production factors, which decreased sown areas and yields. This trend reversed from 2022 onward, driven by improved farmer access to inputs, the expansion of cultivated land, and better agricultural practices. Furthermore, strong domestic demand and supply chain disruptions contributed to a sharp rise in millet prices that year. Growth accelerated in 2023, aided by favorable rainfall patterns and the state's provision of fertilizers, leading to a significant increase in total market volume.

Underlying these volume movements, millet consumption has been sustained by strong demand for traditional products like Tiéré and for value-added items such as millet-based dairy foods, particularly among higher-income consumers in the Dakar region, which concentrates most of the country's processing capacity.

Production millet in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal ranked 9th globally in millet production volume.

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

In 2020, Senegal produced 1 145 K t of millet, marking a 41.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 807 K t, which represented a 10.1% decline from the previous year.

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

Exports millet from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed out in 2020 at 0.2 t, after peaking in 2019 at 203.1 t, with a dramatic 99.9% drop between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 45.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana was the primary destination for Senegal's millet exports, consistently accounting for 91.0% 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.9 K $ US, showing a 99.5% year-over-year decline and a 213-fold difference between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 49.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with Ghana alone responsible for 93.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports millet to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed out in 2018 and peaked in 2019 at 20.1 t, with a 32-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Senegal imported {value_last_year} t of millet, a 95.6% decrease from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 3,073.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Ghana alone accounting for 92.8% of total imports in kind.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports peaked in 2019 at 4.5 K $ US and bottomed out in 2018, with an 8.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, millet deliveries to Senegal amounted to 1.4 K $ US, a 68.0% year-over-year contraction. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 714.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ghana and China were the main suppliers of millet to Senegal, together representing 89.2% of total imports in value terms, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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