• Sale of industrially produced onions and potatoes suspended from May 22 to June 15

• Measure aims to protect small farmers amid surplus and price drops

• Affects firms including Swami Agri, SCL, and Sedagri

Senegal’s Market Regulation Agency (ARM) has announced a temporary suspension of onion and potato sales from commercial producers, effective May 22 through June 15, 2025. The decision, issued in a circular on May 20 and published on the agency’s official website, aims to support small-scale farmers facing market imbalance and storage constraints.

“This trading window will enable small producers, lacking storage capacities, to unload their stocks under favorable conditions,” the ARM stated.

The suspension comes in response to a surplus in local production that has led to falling prices and increased post-harvest losses, particularly for farmers without access to cold storage facilities or formal distribution networks.

Several companies involved in large-scale onion and potato production have been affected by the directive. These include Swami Agri, SCL, Van Oers, Africa Farmer Food, and Sedagri, as reported by local media.

Senegal anticipates a record harvest this year, with forecasts of 450,000 tons of onions and 240,000 tons of potatoes. The suspension is expected to temporarily ease market pressure and help small producers sell their stocks under improved conditions.