Senegal has suspended the issuance of rice import declarations for one month in a bid to ease pressure on domestic producers grappling with unsold stock from the 2025 season. The announcement was made on November 12 after a meeting convened by the Market Regulation Agency (ARM) with farmers, traders, processors, government agencies, and development partners.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the temporary halt on the import declaration for rice (DIPA) is intended to give local producers breathing room as they struggle against an influx of cheaper imported varieties that continue to dominate the market. Officials framed the decision as a short-term corrective measure to help stabilise supply and reduce stock build-up.
Farmers raise alarm over unsold harvest
The move comes after increasingly urgent warnings from rice producers in the Senegal River Valley, particularly in the Dagana department, one of the country’s main agricultural zones. In late October, grower associations reported that nearly one hundred and ninety five thousand tonnes of paddy and milled rice from the current harvest were at risk of remaining unsold.
‘We cannot sell our rice because imported rice is already present in large quantities. Senegal, which used to hold a three-month stock, now has a six-month stock due to imported rice,’ said Baba Diallo, training officer for the Dagana rice producers’ sub-college, in remarks published by Senenet on October 29.
Producers say consistently low-priced imports have made it difficult for domestic rice to reach the market, despite improvements in local production capacity. Storage facilities across the valley are reported to be at full stretch, with cooperatives facing cashflow pressures as stock continues to accumulate.
Government sets uniform price to boost competitiveness
To complement the suspension, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has also established a single ex-factory price of CFA350 ($0.62) per kilogram for locally produced broken and whole rice. Authorities say the uniform pricing aims to improve competitiveness and provide clarity for traders and processors navigating current market distortions.
ARM officials added that they would continue monitoring stock levels, engaging producers and commercial actors, and assessing whether additional steps might be required during the suspension period. The government has not indicated whether the measure could be extended beyond the initial month.
Market impact still uncertain
Analysts remain cautious about whether the suspension will meaningfully alter supply dynamics, given Senegal’s long-standing reliance on imports to meet domestic demand. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Senegal is projected to import about one point six five million tonnes of milled rice in the 2025/2026 marketing year. This represents roughly seventy percent of the country’s annual requirement, estimated at around two point two million tonnes.
Such structural dependency means international market conditions will continue to shape local prices, even as the government seeks to provide short-term support to farmers. For communities in Dagana and across the valley, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the suspension eases stock pressure and improves market access for the latest harvest.
