Relief for onion importers in Senegal and the Senegalese population. Authorities have decided to lift the import freeze. The decision was made on Monday, August 31, 2026, by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. In a public statement, Serigne Gueye Diop said the decision ends a regulatory period in place since January 16, 2026. This follows a period prioritizing local production and protecting small local producers‘ outlets, the statement says.
So, after eight months of temporary closure of the import market, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce believes local supply developments justify reopening. The decision aims to ensure a regular and adequate domestic supply while maintaining price stability for consumers. The ministry invites concerned importers to contact the Market Regulation Agency (ARM) to implement the new measure. The sack price jumped from 9,000 CFA francs to 15,000 CFA francs in a month.
This import resumption comes amid a significant onion price hike in Senegal, reaching up to 16,000 CFA francs per sack (vs 8,000-9,000 CFA francs a month ago). Aly Ndiaye from Onion Interprofession attributed the rise to cold-stored stocks now hitting the market and the import freeze since Jan 2026, allowing local producers to sell their produce. This protection measure eased tensions ahead of the Grand Magal de Touba, when authorities had tried to set a recommended local onion price.
Imports were suspended since January 2026 to « secure local production sales ». Authorities had announced a freeze on potato and onion imports on January 16, 2026, to prioritize « Made in Senegal » products. Back then, 95% of imports were completed, and stocks were deemed sufficient to bridge to local harvests.
Beyond regulation, suspending imports aimed to « secure local production sales » and avoid market saturation with imported products. The ministry stressed that managing flows is key to maintaining price stability and protecting households’ purchasing power. « The goal is to avoid an imported surplus during local production phase, » the statement adds.
