• Senegal has launched a nationwide project to build 100 warehouses and 20 cold rooms.

• The program is designed to reduce post-harvest losses, which cost CFA100 billion annually.

• Spanish firm INTERMAQ 2012 SL is leading the rollout under a public-private partnership.

The government of Senegal has launched a national project to increase the country’s crop storage capacity by 250,000 tons, with the aim of reducing post-harvest losses that severely impact food availability and farmer incomes. The program involves the construction of 100 warehouses and 20 cold storage units across the country.

In a statement published on May 12, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the start of the first phase, marked by the groundbreaking of a 2,000-ton cold room in Tassette, located in the Thiès region. The project is being carried out by Spanish company INTERMAQ 2012 SL under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The total cost has not been disclosed.

According to the ministry, this initiative is designed to address losses especially among perishable goods, including potatoes, onions, cabbage, and tropical fruits. These losses significantly reduce supply in local markets. The first phase of the project will deliver 18,500 tons of storage capacity across six high-production zones: Tassette, Mboro, Notto Gouye Diama, Potou, Ogo, and Mbantou.

In Senegal, post-harvest losses can affect up to 40% of total production, a figure that reflects both the scale of the problem and the need for new infrastructure. A study by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) estimates that these losses represent an annual shortfall of around CFA100 billion (about $171 million).