Speaking at the event, Hoang Duc Nhuan, commercial counsellor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria cum Senegal, noted that Senegal, a West African country with a stable political environment and open trade policies, holds strategic importance thanks to Dakar Port, a key transshipment hub for landlocked countries in the subregion.

Senegal imports 800,000 to 1 million tonnes of rice annually, over 90% of which is broken rice. It is also a supplier of important raw materials such as raw cashew nuts, cotton, animal feed, and seafood.

He cited Vietnam Customs data, saying two-way trade between Vietnam and Senegal reached US$134 million in 2023, with Vietnam exporting US$38 million worth of goods, primarily agricultural products and foodstuffs such as pepper, rice, fruits, and textiles.

In 2024, Vietnam’s exports to Senegal climbed to US$43.91 million, up 16.1% from the previous year. Key exports included pepper, fruits and vegetables, confectionery and cereal-based products, rice, and seafood

Notably, in the first four months of 2025, Vietnam's exports to Senegal already hit US$43.43 million, nearly equaling the total of the previous year.

Nhuan revealed that both sides have signed several cooperation agreements, including a framework agreement on economic, trade, cultural, and scientific-technical cooperation. in addition, the chambers of commerce of both countries signed a cooperation agreement in 2012.

To further strengthen trade ties, the counsellor recommended increasing delegation exchanges between businesses from both countries to share information related to business, market and investment opportunities.

The two business communities should engage in international trade fairs such as Vietnam Expo, Vietnam Foodexpo, and Vietnam International Sourcing in Vietnam, and Dakar International Fair in Senegal, he said.

In addition, he said, both sides further organise online trade conferences, business forums, and B2B webinars, alongside collaborating on partner verification, providing market intelligence, and supporting the resolution of trade disputes.

At the webinar, businesses from both countries expressed a strong desire for mutually beneficial cooperation. Representatives from Vietnamese businesses such as Hanoi Trade Corporation, Vietnam Tea Corporation, and Southern Star Agricultural Products Company expressed their desire to seek Senegalese partners for importing farm products, including rice, tea and other organic products.

Meanwhile, Senegalese businesses showed diverse import needs for food, school supplies and equipment, office tools and construction materials, among others. Some Senegalese firms also expressed a desire to find long-term Vietnamese partners to act as intermediaries in both import and export activities.

Senegal considered as potential market for Vietnamese agricultural products

Senegal is considered as a potential market for Vietnamese agricultural products, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.