Senegal eyes strong maize recovery in 2025/2026 season
The rebound in production comes amid significant government investment in the agricultural sector for the current season.
SENEGAL – Senegal’s maize sector is poised for recovery following a disappointing 2024/2025 harvest, with initial forecasts indicating improved production across key growing regions.
The Interprofessional Maize Association (IMAIS) has expressed optimism for the 2025/2026 season, citing favorable crop conditions and expanded planting areas.
Speaking to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS) on October 25, Nimna Diayté, president of IMAIS, said the association’s recent field visits showed promising progress.
“This year, several hectares have been planted for maize production. We conducted a tour of the regions of Kaolack, Kaffrine, Sédhiou, Kolda, Tambacounda, and Kédougou. We observed that the crops are performing very well. We hope for good yields and abundant production,” he stated.
Although IMAIS did not disclose specific figures for the total planted area or expected harvest volumes, the association’s remarks point to an improvement over last season’s decline.
According to the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), maize cultivation area dropped by 4.3% in 2024/2025 to 164,906 hectares, while output fell by 12.7% to 495,571 tonnes.
The rebound in production comes amid significant government investment in the agricultural sector for the current season.
Senegal’s authorities have introduced a record agricultural budget aimed at boosting productivity through increased access to subsidized fertilizers, seeds, and other inputs.
Within the maize subsector, a major focus has been placed on the distribution of hybrid seeds to improve yields and enhance climate resilience.
Agriculture remains a central pillar of Senegal’s economy, and maize ranks third among the country’s most cultivated and consumed cereals after rice and millet.
The cereal plays a key role in both human diets and animal feed, particularly in the poultry sector, which has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Reducing import dependence
An improved domestic maize harvest would also help reduce Senegal’s reliance on imports, a long-standing policy goal.
Data from the ANSD indicates that maize imports rose by 19% in 2024 to 512,740 tonnes, and by nearly 59% over the past five years, up from 323,439 tonnes in 2020.
Rising import bills have weighed on the country’s trade balance, particularly in the face of global price volatility and currency depreciation.
The anticipated recovery in maize output this season could, therefore, ease some of the pressure on foreign exchange reserves and strengthen local value chains.
If the positive field assessments translate into strong harvests, the 2025/2026 season could mark an important step toward stabilizing maize supply and strengthening national food security.
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