A Senegalese – French joint venture company Société Africaine d’Ingrédients (SAF Ingrédients) is to benefit from a €13 million investment towards the construction of an onion dehydration plant in Senegal—the first in sub Saharan Africa.
This unique project will also help SAF Ingrédients develop a 760-hectare onion farm and establish a large out-grower network of onion farmers in Senegal.
The plant, which is being funded by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF) is expected to produce almost 5,000 tons of dehydrated onions annually, representing two percent of the global supply, with some production being exported to Europe. Dry onion powder is an important and popular flavoring in soups, stews, and many other dishes.
Over the last 10 years, Senegal’s onion production has increased significantly to reach approximately 400,000 tons per year. The new plant will process a type of onion, which is better suited for dehydration and delivers higher yields.
It is also timely, as it will help spur agricultural productivity and contribute to Senegal’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic”. Source: Africa6News
