In the last ten years the production and consumption of the safou, the fruit of Dacryodes edulis (Burseracées) have seen a remarkable growth in central Africa. In 1980 a network was set up dedicated essentially to the commercial development of the safou, called the African Safou Network (ASANET). Its commercialisation has spread beyond national boundaries, and has become international throughout the sub-region. All this activity has allowed significant advances in physical, chemical and biological knowledge concerning this plant and its fruit.