Senegal’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has officially ended the freeze on onion imports that had been in place since January 16, 2026.
The announcement, made on Monday, brings to a close a restriction period of more than seven months.
The import ban was originally introduced to support local production by facilitating the sale of domestic harvests and protecting the market outlets of small Senegalese producers from competition with foreign goods.
According to the ministry, the decision to reopen the market is based on the current availability of locally produced onions.
The government’s stated aim is to ensure a regular supply of the domestic market and help maintain stable prices for consumers.
Importers affected by the change are now instructed to contact the Market Regulation Agency (ARM) to learn about the provisions required for resuming their operations.
The ministry has also called on all stakeholders in the sector to act with responsibility and professionalism, and to comply with the rules governing the resumption of imports.
With this move, the Senegalese authorities are adjusting the regulatory framework for the onion market.
After months of prioritising national production, the government now considers that local availability is sufficient to allow imports to resume in order to guarantee market supply.
Source: Ivoirematin