Potato market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Senegal's potato market volume expanded from 161 thousand tons to 208 thousand tons, supported by a rise in domestic production to 148 thousand tons. The Niayes region, contributing over 60% of the country's vegetable harvests, provided a strong production base for potatoes during this period.

After a contraction in 2021, the market regained momentum. Government intervention became a key driver: an import-substitution policy temporarily froze potato imports to shield local producers, while substantial subsidies for high-quality seeds and fertilizers were deployed to stimulate domestic output. However, post-harvest losses estimated at 25-30%, caused by a lack of storage infrastructure, continued to limit the effective supply of locally grown potatoes.

By 2024, potato imports reached 69.5 thousand tons, underscoring a persistent reliance on foreign supply. Concurrently, state strategy shifted towards reducing massive post-harvest losses through cold storage and processing investments. Early reports for the 2024-2025 season indicated a dramatic 48% increase in national potato production, fueled by continued input subsidies and the import-restriction framework.

Production potato in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Senegal has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 148.0 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a year-over-year gain of 5.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 119.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 29.9%.

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

Exports potato from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a dramatic 16-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, Senegal exported 117 tons of potatoes, representing a 73.2% decline compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 131 tons, which marked an extraordinary increase of 1 470.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania, Mali, and Côte d'Ivoire formed the core group of markets for Senegal's potato exports in volume terms. Mauritania accounted for 47.9% of exports, Mali for 23.5%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 23.1%. Together, these three countries represented 94.4% of total export flows.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017, then surged to their peak in 2018 with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Senegal exported potatoes worth 49 thousand US dollars, representing a 68.3% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 267 thousand US dollars, which marked a substantial increase of 537.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Mauritania, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali remained the primary buyers of Senegalese potatoes in value terms. Mauritania accounted for 38.6% of export value, Côte d'Ivoire for 28.5%, and Mali for 26.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 93.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's potato import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 60 255 tons of potatoes, which is 9.3% more than the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 43 417 tons, which represented a 43.7% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 27.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary source for Senegal's potato imports in volume terms, accounting for 71.7% of total imports. Other markets collectively formed a long tail of smaller trading 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

The value of potato imports to Senegal increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 16 986 thousand US dollars, representing a 14.0% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 176 thousand US dollars, which marked a 33.0% decline.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands and France were the main sources for Senegal's potato imports in value terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 84.2% of total import value, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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