Not carded or combed cotton market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, production of not carded or combed cotton in Benin increased from 856 thousand tons to a peak of 1,014 thousand tons. The domestic market size in volume terms followed a similar upward trajectory initially, reaching 717 thousand tons in 2019, before entering a gradual decline to 655 thousand tons by 2021.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with production falling to 779 thousand tons and the market volume dropping to 458 thousand tons. This downturn coincided with a reported 33.5% plunge in the country's total exports during the fourth quarter of 2022, indicating broader market volatility that adversely affected the cotton sector.

The market showed signs of adjustment from 2023. That year, the government set the seed cotton purchase price and approved rates for insecticides and herbicides for the 2023-2024 season, directly influencing producer profitability. Concurrently, Benin solidified its position as the leading cotton producer in West Africa, reflecting gains in agricultural productivity. In 2024, continued price controls for inputs, including a significant increase in fertilizer costs, affected production expenses. Export performance for cotton was volatile throughout 2024, with strong quarterly growth followed by a sharp decline, yet it remained the dominant contributor to Benin's export earnings.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Benin ranked as the 14th largest producer of not carded or combed cotton from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

Benin's production of not carded or combed cotton declined after a two-year increase. In 2020, the country produced 966.4 K t, showing a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 986.7 K t, with the largest annual increase of 15.3% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, the value of Benin's not carded or combed cotton production decreased. In 2020, output was valued at 1 557 M $ US, reflecting a moderate contraction of 5.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 26.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 1 648 M $ US, while the largest annual increase of 18.7% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Benin in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Benin

Exports in kind, K t

Benin's exports of not carded or combed cotton increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 280.1 K t, marking a gain of 3.8% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.6%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Benin's exports of not carded or combed cotton in kind were Bangladesh, accounting for 49.8% of exports, Vietnam with 14.3%, and Malaysia at 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 74.1% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Not carded or combed cotton shipments from Benin increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 451.3 M $ US, showing little change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Benin's not carded or combed cotton exports in value terms were Bangladesh, which accounted for 49.9% of exports, Vietnam at 14.2%, and Malaysia with 10.1%. Collectively, these markets absorbed 74.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Benin

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a tenfold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin imported {value_last_year} K t of not carded or combed cotton, down by 61.3% from the previous year. The largest decline of 85.7% occurred in 2018, while the largest increase of 80.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey and China were the dominant sources for Benin's imports of not carded or combed cotton in kind, jointly accounting for 83.7% of total flows. Other countries held significantly smaller shares.

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, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2020 after reaching a maximum in 2017, with a 53-fold variation. In 2020, cross-border shipments of not carded or combed cotton to Benin totaled 0.0 M $ US, representing a sharp reduction of 64.6% year-over-year. The largest decline of 98.0% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 164.4% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant supplier of not carded or combed cotton to Benin in value terms, accounting for 84.8% of total imports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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