As we approach the feast of Tabaski, the Senegal Intensifies the preparations to secure one of the essential elements of this celebration: the sheep. This year again, the country intends to avoid shortages and abusive prices increases by consolidating its links with its supplier neighbors. If there Mauritania remains a traditional partner, the gaze turns more and more towards the Maliwhich stands out as a key player in the supply chain.
A Senegalese official delegation PAR Dr Alpha Ba, Secretary of State for Cooperatives and Peasant Supervision, recently went to Bamako. She also included the Senegal Ambassador to Mali, the Governor of Tambacounda and the National Director of Livestock. This mission aims to ensure a fluid and secure flow of animals towards the Senegalese market, through better cross -border coordination and logistical support for Malian breeders.
The choice of Mali is not trivial. In 2024, almost 37 % of sheep imported by Senegal came from this country, or nearly 110,000 heads out of a total of 297,488. To meet a national demand estimated at 830,000 heads, including 260,000 for the Dakar region alone, Senegal is planning this year the importation of 250,000 sheep, mostly from Malian territory.
This strategy is part of a logic of anticipation. By guaranteeing a stable supply long before Tabaski, the authorities hope to slow down speculation, contain prices outbreak and offer households more serene access to the sheep of sacrifice. The approach also makes it possible to support cross -border breeders, who greatly depend on this period to sell their livestock.
This cooperation with Mali also strengthens the links of solidarity between two countries which share a long tradition of pastoral exchanges. In a context marked by regional uncertainties, it testifies to the will of Senegal to build a lasting and concerted response to the challenges linked to animal mobility and food security.
