What is agriculture like in Benin?
Agriculture accounts for 41.1% of Benin's active workforce and is the backbone of its economy. Cotton dominates exports, followed by cashew and pineapple. Staple crops include maize, beans, groundnuts, sorghum, and yams.
A dominant agricultural economy
Agriculture represents the most important economic sector in Benin, employing 41.1% of the active population. This activity structures the economic and social life of the country, particularly in rural areas.
Main export crops
- Cotton: the country's leading export product, nicknamed Benin's "white gold"
- Cashew nuts: rapidly growing on international markets
- Pineapple: tropical fruit appreciated for export to Europe
Essential subsistence crops
Beninese agriculture also relies on production intended for local consumption:
- Cereals: corn, sorghum
- Legumes: beans, peanuts
- Tubers: yam, the main source of starch
These crops guarantee food security for rural and urban populations.