The Grand Magal of Touba is one of the world's largest pilgrimages, attracting millions of followers from the Mouride community to the city of Touba in Senegal each year. On the 13th of August, six million pilgrims from Senegal and elsewhere converged for the 130th edition of this event.
© Magal
This large demographic gathering naturally has economic repercussions, providing an important commercial opportunity for traders of fresh produce in Senegal and the broader region. It has also become the most important window of the year for Moroccan exporters of fresh produce to increase exports to Senegal.
Mohamed Zemrani, president of the Moroccan Association of Producers and Exporters of Produce to Africa, states: "Magal is a very important occasion that provides a much-needed boost to Moroccan exports to Senegal. Our exports to Senegal and West Africa have declined significantly in recent years, but Magal remains the only time of year that provides a stimulus."
According to the exporters' representative, the volume of fresh produce shipped to Senegal increased remarkably ten days before Magal, mainly concerning tomatoes, peppers, beets, cucumbers, and oranges. He added: "Previously, other products such as potatoes and onions were also involved, but the export bans imposed by Morocco recently encouraged West African countries to grow locally and find alternative sources."
A fresh produce trader from Senegal says, "This period is undoubtedly the busiest time of the year for fruit and vegetable imports. There are significant volumes coming in from Morocco, but there are currently restrictions on onions, potatoes, and carrots until further notice."
"For decades, the West African market, including Senegal, has been an important outlet for many Moroccan producers. However, the export bans imposed in recent years have been widely criticised in these countries, and rightly so. These restrictions have damaged our reputation as a reliable partner, benefiting competitors such as Egypt and reducing Moroccan export volumes by nearly 70%," Zemrani adds.
"Competition for the supply of fresh produce in Senegal in the run-up to Magal was fierce between Moroccan and Egyptian exporters. Despite this, we managed to stand out for certain products," he adds.
The exporters' representative concludes: "This opportunity serves as a reminder that the Senegalese market offers enormous potential, and any wise decision-maker would want to capitalise on it."
For more information:
Mohamed Zemrani
AMPEPAFRIC
Tel: +212661449619
