SENEGAL – Authorities in Senegal are making haste to maintain the country’s reputation in horticulture exports with the implementation of a 1.2 billion CFA francs (US$1.9 million) investment as part of the fruit fly control program this year.
Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Equipment revealed that 75% of this envelope will be made up of State funding.
The rest of the funds will come from the new export tax of 15 CFA francs, which will be collected from the various operators on each kilogram of fruit.
The situation is serious, and we must put the necessary means in the fight against this fly whose action strongly affects mango exports, warned Mr. Ndiaye.
“If nothing is done, Senegalese mangoes will be systematically quarantined on the European Union (EU) market. We have all the technical and approach elements to fight, but until then we lacked the funding,” said Cheikh Ngane, president of the Federative Cooperative of Horticultural Actors in Senegal (CFAHS).
The European Union (EU) market is the main outlet for the Senegalese sector, importing approximately 70% of shipments.
The sector provides a source of income to about 20,000 people and generates an annual turnover of about 4 billion CFA francs in exports.
The country has been facing an upsurge in fruit fly attacks since last year. Together with other factors, it caused a fall of more than 33% in mango exports in 2022 to 16,262 tons against a record stock of 24,581 tons shipped a year earlier.
However, this year Senegalese mango producers are preparing for the launch of the export campaign in June, with an expected increase in volumes, said Mohamed Mbengue of Unionagri Des Niayes.
According to the producer, the campaign has all the ingredients for success, explaining that the climatic conditions have been very good, with average temperature levels, enough sunlight hours, and good rainfall.
Good weather conditions and strong demand have encouraged producers to increase their acreage.
“We went from a volume of 1,000 tons last year to 1,700-1,800 tons expected this year. All producers have increased their acreage since the Senegalese Kent mango has gained a great reputation globally,” Mbengue said.
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