Palm nuts and kernels market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for palm nuts and kernels in Benin expanded consistently from 615 thousand tons in 2018 to 744 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was initiated by government efforts to develop the oil palm sector, which began in 2018 with budget allocations and partner mobilization. The artisanal nature of the sector, where family-based units provide 80% of national production, formed the foundation for these improvements.

A significant boost came in May 2020 when the government launched a sector revival program aimed at enhancing productivity and local processing. This was followed by intensified large-scale production of selected oil palm seedlings, with over 2.5 million pre-germinated nuts expected in 2022. The government's Action Program (PAG) 2021‑2026 allocated 5 billion FCFA to develop the sector, including bringing at least 25 000 additional hectares under cultivation, which directly contributed to the production jump in 2021.

Planting campaigns continued in 2022 with 1.75 million seedlings, partly subsidized by the state. Favorable rainfall in 2023, combined with ongoing government advisory support to growers and processors, supported another production increase. Although the sector remains largely artisanal with only two industrial processing units, the consistent policy focus on productivity gains and local value addition sustained the market expansion.

Production palm nuts and kernels in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Benin ranked 20th globally in palm nuts and kernels production.

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Benin's palm nuts and kernels production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 650.0 thousand tons, marking a 2.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Benin

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, Benin exported 182.0 tons of palm nuts and kernels, representing a sharp 60.9% decline from the previous year. The peak was reached in 2018 at 465.8 tons, which was a 142.1% increase from 2017. The difference between the 2018 peak and the 2019 trough was 2.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the exclusive destination for Benin's palm nuts and kernels exports, accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

Export values displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2019, Benin exported 24.5 thousand US dollars worth of palm nuts and kernels, a dramatic 90.0% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 244.7 thousand US dollars, which represented a 443.7% increase from 2017. The gap between the 2018 maximum and the 2019 minimum was tenfold.

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

During 2017-2020, Nigeria completely dominated Benin's palm nuts and kernels exports in value terms, capturing 100.0% 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 palm nuts and kernels to Benin

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes fluctuated over the period. In 2020, Benin imported 413.5 tons of palm nuts and kernels, a modest 9.5% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 377.6 tons, down 22.0% from 2018. The highest volume was in 2018 at 484.3 tons, which was a 17.8% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo was the nearly exclusive source for Benin's palm nuts and kernels imports, holding a 99.9% share of total import volumes.

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

Import values showed considerable volatility. In 2020, Benin imported approximately 6.7 thousand US dollars worth of palm nuts and kernels, a 73.9% decrease from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 25.8 thousand US dollars, a 67.9% increase from 2018. The lowest value was in 2020, creating a 3.8-fold difference between the 2019 maximum and the 2020 minimum.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Togo overwhelmingly dominated Benin's palm nuts and kernels imports in value terms, accounting for 97.3% 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