This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 4/12/2019

 

Overview

Agriculture is a major driver of growth in The Gambia.  It accounts for approximately one quarter of GDP and employs 70% of the labor force.  In 2016 agriculture contributed approximately 25 percent to GDP of The Gambia’s GDP.  Output in the agricultural sectors is growing steadily, however, current output levels only meet 50 percent of the country’s food needs.  Crop yields are generally low, with an average of 1.5 tons/Ha compared to an estimated potential of 3-4 tons/Ha for cereals, excluding rice, for which yields of up to 6 tons/Ha have been obtained elsewhere.  The main agricultural products grown locally are peanuts, rice, millet and sorghum.  The main fruits produced include mangoes and cashews.  These are also the major cash crops, while rice is the staple crop.  Approximately only 38 percent of the total land area of the country or about 430,000 Ha is arable.  Agriculture is listed as a strategic priority in the National Development Plan (2018 – 2021).

Table 2. The Gambia Agricultural Sector Trade Data 2014 – 2017, value (US $)
 2014201520162017 (Estimated)
Total Local Productionn/an/an/an/a
Total Exportsn/an/an/an/a
Total Importsn/an/an/an/a
Imports from the US
 		311,792896,754659,487n/a
Total Market Size206,000223,250221,500n/a
Exchange Rates: 1USD40424445
(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Source: The Gambia Trade Portal
Source (exchange rate data): Central Bank of The Gambia

Leading Sub-Sectors

The Gambia has one of the highest per capita consumption rates of rice in the region.  Local production only accounts for a small fraction of the amount of rice consumed, leaving a high demand for imported rice.  Given steady population growth of about three percent per annum, the demand for imported rice will remain strong.  This presents a good opportunity for U.S. rice exporters, with U.S. rice already widely consumed in significant quantities.

Agro-processed products: The GOTG seeks to increase the production of honey, fruits, vegetables, and dairy, and seeks to enhance the agricultural value chain while transforming the livestock sector.

Increase production of basic agricultural commodities: The NDP seeks to increase maize, groundnut, rice, onion and tomato production; and the livestock production in cattle, sheep, goat, pig, and poultry farming,

Fisheries: The GOTG also seeks to boost fisheries as a percentage of GDP from 6.4 percent to 15 percent and also the percentage of fish resources exported from 32 percent to 43 percent by 2021 by increasing fisheries production from 53,719 to 75,000 tons.

Opportunities

The Gambia’s population is increasingly becoming more urbanized.  Urbanization is a major determinant of processed food demand.  U.S. exporters are already present in the rice and flour market in the country.  Other processed food commodity opportunities also exist.  As a priority country in the 2017 USDA Food for Progress program, cashew production also presents opportunities with relatively moderate production of 10,000 tons compared to its neighbors.  Despite the comparatively low production volume, The Gambia’s cashews are of higher quality than its neighbors.

One of the main constraints facing the agricultural sector is the lack of irrigation technology.  There is an untapped demand for irrigation equipment in the short term (within the year).  These include centrifugal water pumps, submersible water pumps, drip irrigation system and other irrigation fittings.

Labor-saving agricultural machinery also provides opportunities for U.S. exporters.  Tractors, power tillers, ploughs, sprayers and harvesters are being used in commercial farms.  While the current market is dominated by Indian and Chinese imports, a quality niche market may exist with investments in the medium term (one-to-two years).
Multilateral development agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and specialized United Nations agencies (e.g. UNDP, IFAD, and FAO) frequently fund agricultural projects in the country.  Some of these projects require the supply of machinery and other imported equipment.  These projects therefore provide entry opportunities for US exporters..

Web Resources

Ministry of Agriculture
African Development Bank
The World Bank
Food Administrative Organization
World Food Program
International Fund for Agricultural Development


 

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