The entrepreneur is currently negotiating to acquire 50 more hectares to meet increasing demands. The produce is available in March, April and early May, then the Italian produce becomes available. The visit to the Senegalese branch of Francescon group, located 140 km from Dakar, was one of the most interesting moments of the Omnibus mission in West Africa.
Peviani, Cedior, Nicofruit and Lopolito were among the companies that took part in the mission. Another interesting moment was the visit to a produce exporter, Sepan, which owns 140 hectares of mango crops in various parts of the country. The packaging facility is located 30 km from Dakar and shipments arrive in Liguria.
Managed by three generations of a family of Lebanese origin, the Gaffaris, Sepan is the second leading mango producer and exporter in Senegal. Safina holds the first place, though it exports exclusively to Holland. Senegal ships to Europe 10,000 tons of mangoes a year, mainly during June and July.
An important meeting was also held with importer-distributor Karim Maky (second from right in the photo below) from SILF, suppliers of retailers and wholesales. There were also visits to wholesalers like Baraka and retailers such as Auchan and Casino, which had Italian VIP Val Venosta apples on display.
Maky was asked whether the example set by Francescon was a good one to follow. The importer stressed that Senegal is the most stable country in West Africa. Since its independence in 1960, there has never been a revolution or violent political changes.
While mango exports are increasing in Senegal, the Ivory Coast is trying to recover its pineapple production and exports. The delegation met with representatives from two of the main fresh produce organisations, Obamci and OCAB. OCAB President Elloh Vosso was particularly interested in working with Italian operators.
Vosso produces M2D, Cayenne Lisse and Pan de Sucre pineapples. The Ivory Coast also produces coconuts in various regions and the delegation visited a plantation in the Bonua province. Vegetable producers are also trying to be more organised - Gram's, for example, is very interested in working with Italian companies.
Above is a video shot with a drone during the Senegalese part of the mission with interviews with Karim Maky (in English) and the Senegal Division manager at Francescon, agronomist Matteo Zucchi (in Italian).
Above is a video shot with a drone during the Senegalese part of the mission with interviews with Karim Maky (in English) and the Senegal Division manager at Francescon, agronomist Matteo Zucchi (in Italian).
The general impression is that, while the quality of productions and transit times make West Africa a suitable area to work with, a closer relationship with suppliers is needed.