2024-10-08 22:02:09
Burkina Faso and then Mali banned the export of shea seeds within a few days of each other. The market, deprived of its two major suppliers of almonds – which, once processed, produce shea butter and other derivatives used by the agri-food industry – has shifted its attention to other Western African producing countries.
In a few days the decision of Evils a you Burkina Faso it shook things up. As soon as the measure was announced, the pressure on other manufacturers, especially on BenignTHE Togo and the Nigeria. « The effect is enormous » in these three coastal West African countries, according to analysts N’kalô agricultural bulletin concerning price levels” exceptional ». « Never seen in 17 years of activity » confirms an industrialist.
In Benin prices have increased by 50% in three weeks, in Nigeria by 25% in the last month and by 100% since May.
A counterproductive measure?
Even before the decision of the two AES countries, prices were dragged into a speculative spiral. This epidemic has put some Malian and Burkinabé transformers in difficulty who have no longer been able to obtain supplies. Above 400 FCFA per kilo of almonds to be processed, the business is no longer considered profitable.
The difficulties of the local industry would partly explain the protective measures adopted by Burkina Faso and Mali. But the reaction could be rapid, according to one of our interlocutors: in these two countries the factories do not have the capacity to process the entire local harvest. They also don’t have the cash flow to buy much more than today and wouldn’t have the means to store disproportionate surpluses of shea butter.
A saturated market in Burkina Faso
Unable to be exported and not yet purchased by local factories, almonds are piling up in Burkina Faso. Their price has already dropped, according to N’kalô.
Wholesalers blame the blow. They can no longer export and have to settle for a less profitable local outlet. In Burkina Faso, according to our information, only trucks already loaded for export at the time of the announcement were authorized to leave the country.
The risks of a prolonged ban are already written, according to an expert in the sector, the first scenario would be that of a shea tree that escapes to the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso to be sold at a higher price.
In the long term, if local demand does not follow and if prices are no longer attractive for women who collect shea, the risk is to see the sector in decline in these two countries, assures the expert.
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