Market Prospects for Groundnut in West Africa COMMON FUND ...

etween markets, and over time throughout the year, linked to the relative
abundance or scarcity of groundnut depending on the seasonality of the crop
and its trade.
Production and marketing
Groundnut markets have been studied in the four main producing areas of
Kita, Bougouni, Kolokani and San from 1995 to 2003. Initial data was
collected by the Cellule de Planification et de Statistique, Ministère du
Développement Rural et de l’Eau (Diagnostique de la Filière Arachide au
Mali, 1998). Additional data was compiled by the Institut d’Economie Rurale
(Kondié 2003).
Improved groundnut varieties currently grown in Mali include Mossi-tiga
(CN94-C), Saméké (JL 24), Kolofa (TS 32-1), 55-437, Niakhali-tiga
(GH119-20), Samakho (73-28), Waliyar-tiga (ICG 7878), ICG (FDRS) 10,
Kaarta-tiga, 47-10, 28-206, Flower 11 and 47-10.
An estimated 60% of production reaches the market, mostly in-shell
groundnut. According to IER, in-shell groundnut represented 65% of the
marketed volumes (more than 90% in Kita, Bougouni and San). Only in
Kolokani did most producers invest further processing to market a shelled
product, comprising 83% of marketed volumes.
The seasonality of groundnut marketing and the corresponding seasonal
price cycle vary between the four production areas studied. In Kita, Kolokani
and San, product sales are well distributed throughout the year, with most
volumes traded from December to June, January and June and December to
August, respectively.
In Bougouni, however, irrigated production allows producers to cultivate
off-season, in order to sell 80% of their produce fresh during August and
September, when other markets are dry and demand is highest. The
remainder is sold from October to April. The highest prices for in-shell
groundnut are obtained during June and July during the planting season, when
groundnut is scarce on most markets.
In the producer areas, groundnut trade is conducted primarily by farmers
looking for secondary income during the dry season following the harvest,
under contract to wholesalers based in the towns in production areas, who
provide pre-financing or guaranteed purchase of produce collected for a price
negotiated in advance. Transport costs vary considerably from area to area,
depending on the condition of the roads.
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