Milk Collection and Distribution Networks in African Sudano-Sahelian Cities

Abstract

In secondary African Sudano-Sahelian cities, proximity to rural areas still allows milk collection from producers in periurban zones and its distribution to urban consumers. Many actors transport and trade small quantities. Small dairy farms sometimes play a major role as intermediaries. On the other hand, the gap is widening in capitals as the collection and distribution network is not adapting to market needs. Although small dairy farms are dynamic, they only bring partial answers to the need to adapt. The population growth, the urban expansion at the periphery of cities to the detriment of pastures or the increasing distance between production and consumption make obsolete the traditional system of transportation. For milk production, to keep a significant role in the potential urban market, “industrial” collection in production zones should be promoted in spite of the distance as in the case of Tiviski in Mauritania. But industrialization conditions are not easily met. In addition, the distribution of imported powder milk and its derived products respond efficiently to recent transformations in urban markets (multiplication of shops, product diversification, increase of cold chains, attractive prices, good sanitary quality…) making competitiveness harder or even elusive. Public policy should take into account this situation. Supporting local milk collection and distribution is a priority with the reservation that local production development must also be a priority of decision makers.