Senegal suspends peanut exports for 2024/2025 season 

SENEGAL – Senegal, Africa’s third-largest peanut producer, has announced a suspension on peanut exports for the 2024/2025 marketing season, starting November 15, as part of a strategy to secure sufficient supply for the domestic market.  

The decision, communicated in an official circular from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, will remain in effect until further notice, rendering all export licenses void after the cut-off date. 

“All peanut exports are suspended as of November 15, 2024, until further notice. Any license or authorization not executed by this date will become void and invalid,” stated the circular, signed by Minister Mabouba Diagne.  

The temporary ban is intended to prevent an overlap of export operations with the local sales campaign, an issue that has often disrupted both the availability and pricing of peanuts within Senegal. 

The ministry hopes the suspension will bolster food sovereignty by prioritizing the domestic market before considering foreign trade.  

This approach follows a letter dated September 12 that initially allowed exports only up to November 15. By designating a specific export period, Senegal seeks to manage peanut availability more effectively and ensure local demand is met first. 

However, the decision has met with criticism from industry stakeholders like the Collective of Peanut Seed Producers and Exporters (COPEGA), who argue that the export ban could damage competitiveness within the local market.  

According to COPEGA President Habib Thiam, the limitations might disadvantage exporters and favor local oil producers, who may lack the capacity to absorb the entire peanut yield.  

“Oil producers do not have the capacity to collect all the peanut production and process it. They will be forced to export in our place,” Thiam stated. 

The National Oilseed Marketing Company (SONACOS), Senegal’s main oil producer, is expected to benefit from the export freeze.  

Frequently outpaced by Chinese buyers, SONACOS may now find it easier to secure raw materials, especially with the recent reopening of its Louga-based processing unit after a two-year shutdown, reported Ecofin Agency. 

The company also operates facilities in Dakar, Diourbel, Kaolack, and Kolda. 

Peanuts are a staple crop in Senegal’s “peanut basin,” covering regions such as Thiès, Louga, Diourbel, Fatick, and Kaolack, where the new measure is likely to impact both production and distribution in the upcoming season. 

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