Mangoes: Fruit flies once again threaten production in Senegal

Annual mango production in Senegal is between 125,000 and 130,000 tonnes. Producing regions include Kolda, Sédhiou and Ziguinchor (in the south of the country) and Niayes (in the north-west of the country).

 

According to local media, as the mango season approaches, the Niayes region is once again facing a plague of fruit flies, which is causing concern among growers. 

 

Several phytosanitary products are being used by growers, who deplore the fact that no lasting solution has yet been found to eliminate them. The worst damage generally occurs during the first weeks of the rainy season.

 

The country had 23,000 hectares of mangoes in 2015, according to IPAR (Initiative prospective agricole et rurale) data. Mango accounts for around 47% of Senegal's fruit production.