Senegal has halted rice import permits for one month. The suspension began July 8. Authorities hope to reduce domestic inventories and boost local sales.
Rice mills currently hold about 37,000 tons of milled rice. The Senegal River Delta and Falémé Valley Development Authority provided that estimate.
Importers will now need to prove they purchased specified quantities of locally produced rice before receiving new authorizations.
The government set the purchase price at CFA280 per kilogram. Millers will receive CFA50 per kilogram in state support to offset processing costs.
The decision follows farmer protests in the Senegal River Valley. Producers denounced poor sales and mounting unsold stocks. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reaffirmed commitment to the sector. Authorities previously froze imports of bananas, onions, and potatoes to prioritize domestic crops.
Senegal remains heavily dependent on imported rice. The USDA projects domestic production will reach 670,000 tons during 2026/2027. Consumption, however, is forecast at nearly 2.35 million tons. Imports are expected to rise 7.69 percent to 1.4 million tons to meet demand.
The government plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with traders Wednesday in Dakar. The agreement will formalize purchase volumes and set distribution methods.
A monitoring tour and Regional Development Committee meetings will follow by end of July. Authorities described the rice sector as a strategic pillar of food security and economic sovereignty.
