Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In a major move to bolster food sovereignty, the Senegalese government has officially frozen the importation of potatoes and onions, effective Friday, January 16, 2026.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the suspension as part of the formal launch of the 2025-2026 marketing campaign. The measure is designed to shield local farmers from foreign competition, stabilize domestic prices, and ensure that homegrown harvests reach consumers efficiently.
Timing and Market Readiness
The decision follows a high-level strategic meeting held on January 13 at the Market Regulation Agency (ARM). Authorities concluded that domestic production is now robust enough to satisfy national demand, noting that local potatoes began hitting markets on January 15, while local onions are expected to arrive in stalls starting February 15.
Current customs data indicates that the market is well-prepared for the transition, as 95% of previously planned import quotas have already been fulfilled and existing stocks are deemed sufficient to bridge the gap until the full local harvest is distributed.
Strict Enforcement Measures
To ensure the effectiveness of the freeze, the Ministry has instructed Customs and the Directorate of Domestic Trade to halt all new import authorizations immediately.
For shipments currently in transit or at sea, the government has issued an urgent directive requiring economic operators to contact the ARM and Customs services immediately.
These shipments will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with authorities defining specific procedures such as bonded storage, rerouting, or specialized declaration protocols to manage the incoming cargo without disrupting the local market strategy.
A Call for National Cooperation
The ARM is expected to release detailed operational guidelines shortly, focusing on price monitoring and consumer communication to prevent any unfair price hikes during the transition.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade concluded its announcement with a call for “responsibility and diligence” from all stakeholders—including producers, traders, and importers. The government emphasizes that the success of this measure depends on the cooperation of the entire supply chain to protect the interests of both Senegalese farmers and consumers.
