Yams market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The yam market in Benin, a staple crop crucial for national food security, saw its volume rise from 2 945 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 365 thousand tons in 2019. This growth coincided with the start of construction for nine modern urban markets in Cotonou, a project designed to upgrade commercial infrastructure and facilitate trade. Despite the continuation of these infrastructure works, market volume fell to 3 150 thousand tons in 2020.

From 2021 onward, the market stabilized and entered a phase of gradual recovery, reaching 3 215 thousand tons in 2022 and 3 322 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was reinforced by regulatory developments, including the creation of the National Market Management Agency (AnaGeM) in 2022 to oversee and regulate agricultural trade, and by the finalization of the first phase of the modern Cotonou markets in late 2023, which improved distribution channels and sales conditions for local producers.

Production yams in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Benin was one of the world's top yam producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

In 2020, Benin produced 3 150 thousand tonnes of yams, marking a 6.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 945 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 366 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 9.2% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 14.3% rise.

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

Exports yams from Benin

Exports in kind, kg

Yam exports from Benin declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 105 kilograms, representing a sharp 99.8% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -88.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of yam exports was highly concentrated, with Gabon alone accounting for 91.0% 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, $ US

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, resulting in a 96-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin's yam export value reached 82 US dollars, down 99.0% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 928 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 83.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Gabon was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of yams from Benin, representing 90.5% 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 yams to Benin

Imports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure of yam imports was dominated by Nigeria, which consistently accounted for 100.0% of total import flows.

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, $ US

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Nigeria clearly dominated as the supplier of yams to Benin, capturing 100.0% of total import value.

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

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