Senegal receives shipment of 1,307 cattle from France to support local livestock, meat sector

SENEGAL – The Ministry of Agriculture in Senegal is taking delivery of 1,307 cattle from France at the port of Dakar, including 1,250 pregnant heifers, 27 bulls, and 30 breeding females.

This import, received on February 24, is part of a program launched in 2017 aimed at strengthening livestock farming in the country.

Authorities are bringing in cattle breeds with high milk production capacity to improve local genetics and enhance sustainability in the sector.

By introducing these breeds, the government aims to increase domestic dairy production and gradually limit the reliance on imported milk products.

Livestock farming is a key economic driver in Senegal, accounting for about 17% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employing around 70% of the workforce.

Approximately 350,000 families across the country are engaged in livestock rearing, representing nearly 30% of all farmers in Senegal.

However, despite efforts to boost local production, the country’s dairy imports grew by 8% in 2024, reaching 33,745 tonnes, according to the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD).

The cost of these imports increased by 20% over the same period, amounting to US$109 million (65.7 billion FCFA), highlighting the financial burden of external dairy dependence.

France’s Livestock Industry and Trade

In 2022, France had a total cattle population of 17.4 million, a decline from more than 20 million recorded in 1995.

Beef production remains the dominant livestock sector in France, with cattle numbers matching the overall livestock total.

The value of livestock production in France stood at US$14 billion (€13 billion) in 2022, reflecting the significance of the industry to the country’s economy.

France primarily exports fresh meat, which accounts for 83% of its total meat exports by volume.

At the same time, the country relies on imported fresh and frozen meat to meet local demand.

In 2018, France exported 1.4 million cattle, mostly young animals intended for fattening, with Italy being the main destination.

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