Dried shelled legumes market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for dried shelled legumes in Benin showed volatility, starting at 319 thousand tonnes. Concerns over the widespread use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, including for legume production, marked the period. Market volume declined to 299 thousand tonnes in 2019, then recovered to 308 thousand tonnes in 2020.

The market stabilized and grew from 2021 onward, reaching 329 thousand tonnes in 2022. This expansion was supported by the development of agroecological cooperatives promoted by international projects, which encouraged sustainable farming. The key driver was the adoption of the Agricultural Orientation Law in July 2022, which focused on food security and incentivized local production and processing, directly boosting market volume.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 265 thousand tonnes, driven by a significant increase in exports to 23 thousand tonnes and a drop in production. Concurrently, studies on legume consumption underscored their role in local diets, and a seed system summit aimed to improve seed quality for crops including legumes. Looking ahead, a regulatory export ban on soybeans and raw cashew nuts implemented in April 2024 seeks to stimulate local processing, potentially altering future trade dynamics.

Production dried shelled legumes in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Benin produced 302.5 thousand tons of dried shelled legumes, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 1.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 313.9 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, rising by 28.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Benin in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled legumes from Benin

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020, while the highest was in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 10.1 times. In 2020, Benin exported 43 tons of dried shelled legumes, down 89.3% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 321.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy were the primary buyers of dried shelled legumes from Benin, accounting for 34.3%, 22.5%, and 13.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 70.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with an 11.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin's dried shelled legumes exports were valued at 8.6 thousand US dollars, a 90.1% decrease year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 161.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ireland accounted for the largest shares of exports in value terms, with 28.4%, 19.8%, and 19.8%, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 68.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Benin in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled legumes to Benin

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019, while the maximum was in 2017, with a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Benin imported 5 120 tons of dried shelled legumes, which is 109.1% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 52.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger played the leading role in imports in kind, with a share of 73.8% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, dried shelled legumes deliveries to Benin amounted to 510.8 thousand US dollars, a 56.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 65.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 78.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, the United States, and Niger remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms, with shares of 60.5%, 16.1%, and 9.6%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Benin in value, 2017-2020