Senegal expands cold storage infrastructure to tackle post-harvest losses

SENEGAL – Senegal has taken a step toward strengthening its agricultural supply chain with the inauguration of a 15,000-tonne cold storage facility by SWAMI AGRI, an agri-food company. 

Minister of Agriculture Mabouba Diagne led the launch of the facility, which is expected to improve the preservation of staple crops such as potatoes and onions.

The latest investment increases SWAMI AGRI’s total cold storage capacity in Senegal to 105,000 tonnes. 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the facility is part of a strategy to ensure a consistent supply of key horticultural products throughout the year while supporting small-scale farmers.

Addressing high post-harvest losses

Senegal faces annual post-harvest losses ranging from 60% to 70% of its fruit and vegetable production due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. 

Authorities expect the new cold storage unit to help reduce these losses and stabilize market conditions for both farmers and consumers.

Though the financial details of the investment remain undisclosed, officials emphasize its role in bolstering local supply chains and ensuring that farmers have access to better storage solutions.

Future expansion plans in cold storage

The private sector’s involvement in post-harvest solutions is expanding in Senegal. 

SWAMI AGRI, which has operated in the country since 2007, has announced plans to invest 35.7 billion CFA francs (US$59.2 million) in constructing seven additional cold storage units across different regions. 

These storage facilities are expected to play a critical role in maintaining a stable supply of perishable produce, particularly onions and potatoes.

Onions and potatoes together accounted for 46% of Senegal’s total vegetable harvest between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD). 

Enhancing cold storage capacity could help mitigate price fluctuations and post-harvest losses, benefiting both producers and consumers.

Onion processing facility strengthens market stability

In a related development, Senegal has recently expanded its agro-processing infrastructure. On February 26, the African Ingredients Company (SAF Ingrédients) completed the construction of an onion dehydration plant in Ross Béthio. 

The facility, valued at 22 billion CFA francs (US$35.4 million), is the first of its kind in Senegal and across Africa.

With an annual processing capacity of 50,000 tonnes of onions, the plant produces 4,000 tonnes of dehydrated onion powder and strips for both local and export markets. 

It relies on a network of 15,000 local farmers, offering them a more secure outlet for their produce. 

The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated that the facility will help curb onion-related post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 30% annually due to insufficient storage.

Senegal produced an average of 429,258 tonnes of onions between 2019 and 2023, primarily cultivated in the Niayes region and the Senegal River Valley. However, a significant portion of this production has been lost each year due to a lack of proper storage infrastructure.