Benin expands cashew production as government pushes for local processing
Backed by World Bank financing, Benin plans to boost its cashew yields and shift more processing activities within the country.
BENIN – Benin is taking strong steps to grow its cashew industry, aiming to expand output and keep more value within its borders.
With support from the World Bank, the government launched an ambitious plan to develop new plantations and improve older ones, signaling its long-term commitment to the sector.
During the official launch of the 2025 campaign to plant high-yielding cashew trees in Savalou on May 15, Agriculture Minister Gaston Dossouhoui confirmed the government’s plans. “We are developing 7,000 hectares of new plantations and rehabilitating 60,000 hectares of existing orchards,” he said.
These activities fall under the Support Project for the Competitiveness of Agricultural Sectors and Export Diversification (PACOFIDE).
The World Bank financed PACOFIDE with $150 million in June 2024, and Benin is now in talks for another US$159 million. These funds aim to help farmers adopt better practices, increase yields, and improve processing capabilities.
Cashew yields in Benin have averaged 450 kilograms per hectare. With the new approach, the government expects this figure to rise to 800 kilograms by 2026.
“The project aims to improve the performance of farmers through practical support,” said Dr. Samuel Akpovi, PACOFIDE’s agricultural productivity specialist.
Production in the country has shown steady progress. According to the Directorate of Agricultural Statistics, Benin’s cashew output grew from 137,926 tons in 2020 to 201,000 tons in 2024, reflecting an average annual growth rate of nearly 10 percent. The government expects a harvest of 225,000 tons in 2025.
Focus on local processing
To keep more value inside the country, Benin banned raw cashew nut exports in April 2024. This move encourages investment in local factories and gives domestic processors easier access to supplies.
One company responding to this change is Benin Cashew SA. In April, it received a 10 billion CFA franc (US$17.3 million) loan from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development. The funds will help build five cashew nut processing plants and a cashew balm factory in the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
By 2026, the GDIZ targets processing 150,000 metric tons of cashews each year. The zone also supports job creation and skills development in agro-processing.
To help farmers and ensure competitiveness in the region, the government set the 2025 cashew price at 375 CFA francs (US$0.59) per kilogram. This is slightly lower than Côte d’Ivoire’s rate of 425 CFA francs ($0.66) per kilogram.
With these steps, Benin aims to increase its role in the global cashew market while building a stronger local industry that benefits both farmers and processors.
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