Maize sector in Kaolack: only 8,000 tonnes sold and a loss of 718 million FCFA

The workshop to review the 2026 marketing campaign for local maize was held this Tuesday in Kaolack. Organized by the Market Regulation Agency (ARM), in partnership with the Interprofessional Association of the Maize Sector of Senegal and with the support of the Belgian development agency Enabel, this meeting aimed to evaluate the year's operational results and analyze the obstacles to the sector's competitiveness.

According to Pape Bana Dièye, president of the Senegalese maize producers' association, this initiative aims to strengthen the foundations of the sector program to better guide the future of the industry. However, the results achieved fall far short of initial projections. While stakeholders had anticipated a target of 25,000 tons, only 12,000 tons were collected, resulting in a final marketed volume of 8,000 tons, due to some partners failing to meet their contractual obligations.

Financial losses, hassles, and logistical weaknesses

This underperformance resulted in a significant financial loss for the stakeholders. Pape Bana Dièye estimates the overall shortfall at 718 million CFA francs, a discrepancy largely attributable to weighing discrepancies observed between the different weighbridges.

Producers and millers also criticized the recurring delays in signing industrial supply contracts, the late disbursement of seasonal loans, and the glaring inadequacy of storage capacity. Adding to these constraints are difficulties in transporting the grain, compounded by customs red tape and high transport costs, set at 12,000 FCFA per ton between Tambacounda and Dakar.

The Agricultural Bank is strengthening its financial commitment

Present at the meeting, the regional director of La Banque agricole (LBA), Fatma Fall Dièye, reaffirmed the strategic nature of the maize sector in the financial institution's food sovereignty scheme.

After reaching a significant milestone by injecting 2 billion CFA francs during the previous campaign, the Agricultural Bank plans not only to renew these financing lines for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, but also to increase the amount. A national forum dedicated to the prospects of the maize sector is also scheduled for October 15 and 16.