2024 Sommet de l’élevage | Looking at West and central African dairy and meat markets

Expert view 27 September 2024
During the 2024 Sommet de l’Élevage (sustainable livestock show) in Clermont-Ferrand Cournon (France) from 1 to 4 October, the Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI), in partnership with CIRAD and CERDI*, is organizing a roundtable on West and central African dairy and meat markets. The event, scheduled for Thursday 3 October 2024, from 14:00 to 17:00, will be livestreamed on Youtube. Two CIRAD researchers are due to contribute: Christian Corniaux and Serena Ferrari.

In West Africa, developing the dairy sector largely depends on developing milk collection © D. Cesaro, CIRAD

West and central Africa are in the midst of a nutrition transition marked by rapid urbanization and income growth, which have driven significantly increased dairy and meat consumption. That growth is being fuelled by powdered milk and frozen meat imports, and by the emergence of local processing chains. However, despite this dynamic, little is known about African livestock product markets.

The roundtable will look at several essential questions:

  • What do we know about these markets, above and beyond international trade statistics?
  • Who exactly are dairy and meat consumers in West and central Africa?
  • What are their preferences and demands in terms of product quality and origin?
  • What share of consumption do local products hold?
  • What are the prospects for developing these markets?

A debate between key players in the sector

The roundtable will bring together experts in economics, sociology and livestock science and professionals from the dairy and meat sectors in Africa, to discuss the changes in livestock product consumption in West and central Africa and the opportunities for investment and growth for local producers and processors.

Programme

Framing the topic:

Animal product consumption in West Africa: what household surveys reveal

  • Catherine ARAUJO BONJEAN, researcher, CNRS, UMR CERDI, Senior Fellow, FERDI, and scientific advisor to the Chair in Agricultural Modernization Policy in Africa
    •  Serena FERRARI, socioeconomist, CIRAD

Roundtable: What are the investment opportunities?

  • Charles ASSAMBA ONGODO, Vice-President, CEMAC Commission
  • Bagoré BATHILY, Manager, La Laiterie du Berger (Senegal)
  • Christian CORNIAUX, livestock scientist, Deputy Head, UMR SELMET, CIRAD
  • Maïmouna MALÉ DIORI, General Manager, La Laitière du Sahel, Niamey, Niger
  • Emmanuel MARCHANT, Vice-President for dairy sustainability in Africa, Director General, Association Danone Écosystème

Moderator: Jean-Marc Gravellini, Head of the Chair in Agricultural Modernization Policy in Africa, FERDI

Practical information:
📅 When: Thursday 3 October 2024, 14:00 to 17:00 CEST
📍 Where: Conference room 6, Grande Halle d'Auvergne, Plaine de Sarliève, 63 800 Cournon d'Auvergne
🔗 Register: Click here
💻 YouTube livestream

See also