Senegal completes first-ever US$35M onion dehydration plant to boost agriculture

SENEGAL – Senegal is making significant strides in agricultural processing with the completion of a US$35.4 million onion dehydration plant in Ross Béthio.

This investment aims to reduce post-harvest losses and provide better market opportunities for local farmers.

The African Ingredients Society (SAF Ingredients) has finalized the construction of an onion dehydration facility covering 0.4 hectares in the Ross Béthio commune.

According to Assane Seck, the promoter of the project, the plant is the first of its kind in Senegal and across the African continent.

“This facility has an annual processing capacity of 50,000 tons of onions, which will produce 4,000 tons of dehydrated onion powder and strips,” Seck explained. “It will help meet domestic demand and support export opportunities.”

The facility, expected to commence operations on March 15, will rely on a network of 15,000 local farmers for its raw material supply.

By doing so, it is expected to offer farmers a stable market while also addressing post-harvest losses that have long plagued the sector.

In Senegal, post-harvest losses can affect up to 30% of onion yields, particularly due to inadequate storage facilities. The Ministry of Agriculture has highlighted the need for better processing solutions to minimize these losses and improve food security.

Between 2019 and 2023, Senegal’s average onion production stood at 429,258 tons annually. The Niayes region and the Senegal River Valley account for 80% of the country’s total output, making them key areas for agricultural development.

Expanding agricultural processing beyond onions

The completion of the onion dehydration plant comes as Senegal intensifies efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in tomato production. Tomatoes rank as the third most cultivated vegetable in the country after onions and potatoes.

The government has set an ambitious plan to reduce dependence on tomato paste imports by strengthening local production and processing.

Mabouba Diagne, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, recently outlined a strategy to boost tomato output over the next two to three years. “We aim to improve production through better farming techniques, the use of high-quality seeds, and closer supervision of farmers,” he stated.

Currently, Senegal imports around 15,000 tons of triple-concentrated tomato paste each year, which equates to approximately 80,000 tons of raw tomatoes.

Authorities believe the country has the capacity to produce up to 120 tons per hectare in open fields and 150 tons per hectare in greenhouses. However, actual yields average around 30 tons per hectare, showing significant room for improvement.

Official data from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography indicate that Senegal’s industrial tomato production has averaged 77,650 tons annually between 2019 and 2023.

The Senegal River Valley remains the country’s primary vegetable production hub, making it central to future agricultural expansion efforts.

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