From April 9 to 11, 2026, Dakar hosted the 15th edition of SIAGRO, the International Trade Fair for Agri-Food Industries and Technologies, one of the leading professional events dedicated to agriculture, livestock farming, and agribusiness in West and Central Africa. Held at the Diamniadio Exhibition Centre, the event brought together more than 100 exhibitors and over 10,000 professionals from across the region.
As population growth, rapid urbanization, and the continuous rise in food demand reshape African markets, agricultural and poultry production have become central pillars of development strategies throughout the continent. The theme of this edition, focused on food sovereignty and the industrialization of agri-food value chains, perfectly reflected this dynamic.
Dakar: A Strategic Hub
Over the years, SIAGRO has established itself as one of the leading professional events dedicated to the agricultural and agri-food sectors in the region. Senegal, historically recognized for its dynamic agricultural sector and its role as a regional economic platform, provides an ideal location for observing the major trends shaping the market.
Beyond the presentation of equipment and technologies, the exhibition serves above all as a forum for discussing the challenges that will shape African poultry farming in the years ahead: food security, value chain industrialization, local processing, and improved farm productivity.
Poultry Farming at the Heart of Tomorrow’s Food Challenges
Eggs and poultry meat are among the most accessible sources of animal protein and are well suited to meeting the growing demand for food. Across many West African countries, investments continue to increase in order to expand local production capacity and reduce dependence on imports.
However, developing production today is no longer simply a matter of building new poultry houses. Producers must now address increasingly complex challenges:
✔️ Rising raw material costs
✔️ Market volatility
✔️ Feed cost management
✔️ Chick availability
✔️ Poultry house environmental management
✔️ Improvement of zootechnical performance
✔️ Manure valorization
✔️ Egg grading, packaging, and product marketing
These were among the key topics that fueled discussions throughout SIAGRO 2026.
What Poultry Producers Are Looking for Today
Throughout the meetings and discussions held during the exhibition, several recurring expectations emerged.
Producers are primarily seeking solutions adapted to their economic realities and local operating conditions. Beyond simply increasing production capacity, they want reliable, high-performing installations capable of supporting the long-term growth of their operations.
One of the most notable trends is the growing interest in farm modernization. More and more poultry farmers are investing in automated equipment that can improve technical performance, reduce repetitive tasks, and increase consistency in flock management.
This trend is reflected by a growing interest in:
✔️ On-farm feed production
✔️ Automatic feeding and drinking systems
✔️ Dynamic ventilation systems
✔️ Solar panels
✔️ Egg grading and packaging facilities
✔️ Poultry manure valorization
Beyond improving working comfort, these investments pursue a common objective: better control of production costs, more consistent performance, and improved long-term profitability.
SOPRODA: Close to Field Realities
Present at SIAGRO 2026, the SOPRODA and Big Dutchman sales teams had the opportunity to meet with poultry farmers, investors, cooperatives, industrial operators, and project developers from across West and Central Africa.
These meetings are essential for understanding the evolving needs of poultry producers, identifying the specific constraints of each market, and sharing solutions adapted to local realities.
For more than 35 years, SOPRODA has been supporting poultry projects in tropical environments. This experience allows our teams to provide expertise that goes far beyond equipment supply and takes into account all the factors that contribute to the success of a poultry operation.
Preparing the Poultry Industry of Tomorrow
Demand for poultry meat and eggs continues to grow across the region. To meet this demand, producers will need to overcome several challenges: improving productivity, strengthening self-sufficiency, and investing in tools capable of supporting the long-term development of their operations.
Events such as SIAGRO play an important role in this dynamic by encouraging exchanges, promoting best practices, and bringing together the various stakeholders of the poultry industry.
We would like to thank all the visitors who took the time to meet our teams during these three days and look forward to continuing these discussions through their future projects.
📩 Were you unable to meet us in Dakar? Contact our team to discuss your poultry project and discover the solutions best suited to your objectives.
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