Senegal wants to import rice, spices, coffee, tea... from Vietnam and export raw cashews At the Vietnam - Senegal Trade Conference, Senegalese businesses expressed interest in importing rice, spices, coffee, tea, construction materials, wooden furniture, packaging, school supplies, etc. from Vietnam; in addition, Senegalese businesses also want to boost the export of key products such as raw cashew nuts, cotton, seafood, fish meal for animal feed, etc. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Electronic Information Portal, within the framework of a working trip to Senegal from May 11-15, 2025, the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria concurrently serving in Senegal and the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture jointly organized a direct and online trade seminar between the two countries on the afternoon of May 14, with the participation of 60 businesses in the fields of agricultural products, food, industrial goods, services, etc. 60 businesses in the fields of agricultural products, food, industrial goods, services... of Vietnam and Senegal attended the direct and online trade seminar between the two countries. Introducing Senegal, Secretary General of the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mbaye Chimère NDIAYE, said that Senegal is a West African country with a stable political situation, open trade policies, and the Dakar seaport, which is a transit point for goods for landlocked countries in the sub-region. With the exploitation of oil resources, development of infrastructure, services and strong economic reform measures, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Senegal's economy can achieve an economic growth rate of 8.4% this year, among the highest in Africa. Mr. Mbaye Chimère NDIAYE highly appreciated the annual conference, which facilitates the connection of businesses from both sides, contributing to the development of the private economic sector on the basis of mutual benefit. Mr. Mbaye Chimère NDIAYE also hoped that, in addition to trade transactions, Vietnamese and Senegalese businesses should establish partnerships, investments, joint ventures, linkages, and open processing factories in Senegal to exploit local raw materials such as raw cashew nuts and cotton, contributing to increasing added value and creating jobs. Within the framework of the trade conference, Senegalese businesses expressed interest in importing rice, spices, coffee, tea, construction materials, wooden furniture, packaging, school supplies, etc. from Vietnam. In return, Senegalese businesses also want to boost the export of key products such as raw cashew nuts, cotton, seafood, fish meal for animal feed, etc. At the workshop, Commercial Counselor Hoang Duc Nhuan introduced the economic and trade cooperation situation between the two countries. Vietnam and Senegal signed a Framework Agreement on Economic, Trade, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (1995), and a Tripartite Cooperation Agreement between Vietnam-FAO-Senegal (1996). The Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) also signed a cooperation agreement with the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in 2012. According to data from the International Trade Center (ITC) and the Vietnam Customs Department, in 2023, trade between Vietnam and Senegal reached 107.46 million USD, an increase of 52.4% compared to 2022, of which our country's export turnover to the Senegal market reached 37.8 million USD, mainly agricultural products and food. Vietnam's import turnover from Senegal in 2023 reached 69.66 million USD, mainly raw cashew nuts (up to 60.77 million USD), fish meal for animal feed, seafood, seeds, oil fruits, cotton, etc. In the first 4 months of this year alone, Vietnam's export turnover to this market has made a leap, reaching 43.43 million USD, almost equal to the whole year of 2024 (43.91 million USD), of which, rice exports reached 25.67 million USD, pepper 6.8 million USD, vegetables and fruits 1.7 million USD, confectionery, auto parts, motorbikes, seafood... Senegal is the third largest rice consumer in Africa after Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Each year, the country imports between 800,000 and 1 million tons of rice, of which more than 90% is 100% broken rice. Vietnamese fragrant rice, 100% broken, is sold in supermarkets in Senegal in 5kg and 25kg bags, priced at around $1.30/kg. Each year, Senegal imports from 800,000 to 1 million tons of rice, of which more than 90% is 100% broken rice. Within the framework of the trade conference, Senegalese businesses expressed their interest in importing rice, spices, coffee, tea, construction materials, wooden furniture, packaging, school supplies, etc. from Vietnam. Some overseas Vietnamese businesses are looking for suppliers of dry goods such as rice paper, spring rolls, pho noodles, fish sauce, etc. to serve Asian restaurants. Senegalese businesses also want to boost the export of key products such as raw cashew nuts, cotton, seafood, fish meal for animal feed, etc. Senegalese delegates highly appreciated the experience and financial potential of Vietnamese enterprises and wished to find partners to jointly invest in production and processing of goods in Senegal or import products to serve the local market as well as export to other countries in the region to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). Senegalese businesses also raised some obstacles in trade transactions such as trust issues in payment, cashew exports to Vietnam still going through intermediaries, visa issues... To promote economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Senegal, delegates recommended that the two countries should complete the legal framework in the fields of trade, industry and investment; establish a Vietnam - Senegal business council; actively organize trade promotion activities, seminars, business forums, and promote the potential and strengths of each country; increase delegation exchanges, create conditions for businesses of both sides to participate in international fairs and exhibitions such as Vietnam Expo, Vietnam International Sourcing Expo, Vietnam Food Expo or Dakar International Fair of Senegal; coordinate in introducing business and investment opportunities, support companies of both sides to verify partners as well as advise on resolving arising disputes; appoint an honorary consul of Vietnam in Senegal, etc. On the sidelines of the Conference, the Trade Office organized an exhibition of catalogues and sample products of Vietnamese enterprises at the headquarters of the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and invited delegates to enjoy Vietnamese products such as coffee and confectionery. Huyen My Source: Industry and Trade Magazine