Senegal: Export potential of organic mangoes to the EU

The Senegalese mango grower and exporter, Notto AI, has found a way to export its produce directly to European markets. In three years time, the company has managed to double their exports to countries like the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.
 
“When you’re a grower based in Senegal, the go-to option for export would logically be France. However, we noticed that organic fruit wound up being re-exported to other European markets. We figured we might as well send our mangoes to transit markets like the Netherlands ourselves,” says Mouhammad of Notto AI.



According to Mouhammad, the requirements for export to Europe are quite strict. However, the young grower sees this as a good thing. He said that the requirements help them to set standards into their operation. By implementing all the necessary protocols, Notto AI were able to formalize their company and evolve in activities a lot faster. “A lot of Senegalese growers already make use of good practices while cultivating mangoes, but these processes aren’t always formally defined by the companies themselves,” says Mouhammad.

 
Notto AI started out as a family business in 1989. The company had humble beginnings with a mere 2 hectares, but grew out to a massive 150 hectares by continuously reinvesting profits. The company has specialized in the cultivation and export of organic mangoes, for which it carries necessary certificates. The main customers of Notto AI are importers, who in turn send the mangoes to wholesalers and retailers.


 
“We always worked with organic farming. When we started our company, we used small amounts of fertilizer. However, the more we were growing as a company, the more we realized that the use of fertilizers and pesticides just didn’t match with what we wanted to do. So we decided to become a fully organic company,” explains Mouhammad. Notto AI has recently invested in a drip irrigation system and a new sorting line with a capacity of 5 tons per hour.
 
Mouhammad added that most European markets demand social certificates, as consumers want to know where their fruit is coming from. This trend applies to both conventional and organic produce. While he does see a trend for organic cultivation in Senegal, he isn’t sure whether this is because of an awareness for responsible and safe production or because they see the prospects of a more lucrative market. Though other countries are increasing organic production as well, Senegal doesn’t suffer from competition.


 
“The seasons in Senegal take in a very unique market window. When our fruit hits the market, most other producing countries aren’t active yet. While Spain and Israel grow mangoes as well, these aren’t on the market during this time frame.”

The season for mangoes in Senegal is from May till August. Due to its location, the season is a bit shorter for Notto, as it starts in the middle of June. While this might be a disadvantage, the company benefits greatly from the proximity of all the major Senegalese transit ports in Dakar. This keeps the costs for logistics low, whereas companies in other growing areas are severely hampered by the local infrastructure.
 
For Notto AI, it is very important to keep up with the latest trends and developments. Every year they renew their certificates. They also attend conventions like Fruit Logistica in order to meet with new clients and learn about the latest growing methods. “I think it’s very important to get noticed by other countries. In order to do that, we need a strong brand. Senegalese mangoes have a competitive advantage due to the season, but they also have a very distinct taste. Our main strong point is our organic cultivation. Organic is in our DNA,” concludes Mouhammad.