According to a recent report from the World Bank, horticulture is the future for Senegalese farming. It is reported that in a time when agricultural productivity has decreased, horticulture has been classed as the best performing sub-sector. It is supported by a strong increase of direct foreign investments directly linked to export.
Senegal’s climate is seen as an advantage, with horticultural growth seasons coinciding with when Europe, their main export market, is out of season, and therefore not competition to local production over the winter. Between 2004-2014, horticultural exports went from 13,321 tons to 85,414 tons, i.e. an average annual 54.12% increase. Currently there are over 20 exporters, of which 7 represent 75% of the total. Meanwhile small producers supply the growing domestic market.
The World Bank underlines that it will all depend on land management, which needs to satisfy both local collectives and local and foreign investors.