Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In the suburbs of Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, a new trend is emerging in the agricultural sector. Strawberry farming, once considered an oddity in this semi-arid West African country, has now become a top export to neighboring countries, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue.
Known as “red gold” in the Sahel region, strawberries have become a highly sought-after crop, surpassing traditional crops like cabbage and lettuce. According to the agricultural support program PAPEA, strawberry crops brought in a whopping $3.3 million from 2019 to 2020.
The strawberry season, which runs from January to April, has become a busy time for farmers like Yiwendenda Tiemtore, who resides in the working-class Boulmiougou district on the outskirts of the city. Tiemtore starts his day before dawn, harvesting the red fruit before temperatures rise to a scorching 40 degrees Celsius. He proudly shares that he can harvest about 25 to 30 kilograms of Burkina’s popular strawberry varieties, “selva” and “camarosa,” every three days, thanks to the ample sunlight and water from wells.
The success of strawberry cultivation in a country like Burkina Faso, where water is scarce and the climate is harsh, may come as a surprise. However, Burkina Faso leads the region in strawberry production, growing about 2,000 tons of strawberries per year. And the demand for these strawberries is not just limited to the local market. More than half of the production is exported to neighboring countries like Ivory Coast, Niger, and Ghana.
“We receive orders from abroad, and the demand is constantly rising. The prices are also good,” says Madi Compaore, a market gardener who specializes in strawberries and trains local growers. He adds that in season, strawberries tend to be sold at a higher price compared to other fruits and vegetables, fetching around $5 per kilogram.
Despite the challenges posed by insecurity in the country, including jihadi violence and the repercussions of two coups in 2022, strawberry production has remained strong. The success of strawberry farming has not only benefited farmers but also sellers like Jacqueline Taonsa, who has no hesitation in swapping from selling apples and bananas to strawberries during the season.
“With the heat, it’s hard to keep strawberries fresh for long. So, we take quantities that can be sold quickly during the day,” says Taonsa, who cycles around Ouagadougou neighborhoods balancing a salad bowl on her head. She usually sells around 5 to 6 kilograms of strawberries per day.
Adissa Tiemtore, a former full-time fruit and vegetable seller, has also switched to selling woven loincloths. However, she takes up her strawberry business again during the season due to the lucrative margins, which can go up to “200-300%.” She explains, “I start selling strawberries again when they’re in season to make some extra money and satisfy my former customers who continue to ask for them.”
To meet the high demand for strawberries, sellers like Tiemtore go around different growers, depending on the day of their harvest. This way, they can ensure a steady supply of strawberries to sell every day during the three-month-long fruit-producing season. However, as the end of April approaches, the strawberry bonanza comes to an end. Tiemtore says, “We go back to our other activities and wait for the next season.”
The practice of growing strawberries in Burkina Faso dates back to the 1970s when a French expatriate introduced a few plants to his garden in the country. Since then, the cultivation of strawberries has only grown in popularity, with more and more people joining in. Compaore proudly states, “It’s our red gold. It’s one of the most profitable crops for both growers and sellers.”
Apart from Ouagadougou, strawberry production is also prominent in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina’s second city. However, Compaore notes that the sector is not very well organized there. Nevertheless, the success of strawberry farming in Burkina Faso is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people to thrive in challenging conditions.
As the strawberry season comes to an end, the people of Burkina Faso can look back at
