Benin
Benin - 3.5.1 Food Suppliers
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Overview 

In Benin, the last quarter of 2022 was characterized by a general drop in the prices of all local food products. This declines in food prices are attributable to the harvest period (October – December) of most local food products. However, the massive export of local products to other neighbouring countries continues to have a negative impact on food prices at the national level.  

Between December 2021-2022, local cereals such as local rice, millet and sorghum recorded respective annual average price increases of +11%, +8% and +4%; while the price of maize decreased by 2% during the same period. Compared to the five-year average, there were price increases of +27%, +20%, +18% and 10% respectively for millet, maize, local rice, and sorghum. 

Additional information can be found from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For more specific and detailed overviews of food availability and market conditions, please consult the following sources: 

 

For further information about retail market in Benin (November 2023) click here  

Types of Retailers Available 

Type of Retailer 

Rank 

(1-5) where 1 is the most commonly used by the population, and 5 is the least commonly used 

Supermarket – concentrates mainly in supplying a range of food, beverage, cleaning and sanitation products; have significant purchasing power; are often part of national/regional/global chains. 

5   

Convenience Store/Mini Market – medium sized shop; offers a more limited range of products than supermarkets; usually has good/stable purchasing power; may be part of chain or cooperative. 

4   

Permanent shop with important supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; usually offers few commodities and a limited selection of brands; good storage and reliable supply options. 

3   

Permanent shop with limited supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; offers fewe commodities and a limited selection of brands; limited storage and unstable supply options. 

1   

Mobile Shop/Market Stand – individually/family owned store; usually offers few commodities and a limited selection of brands; may be found at outdoor markets, camps or unstable environments. 

1   

Wholesale  

Most wholesalers are based in Cotonou and some principal towns but can be found in all cities. The wholesalers that are listed in contact list 4.10 can be requested to deliver throughout the country if required.  

Supplier Overview 

Company Name 

Suppliers of cereals, pulses, sugar, edible oils, sugar, salt and more   

Address 

Cotonou, Porto Novo, Ouida, Bohicon, Parakou, Natitingou, Djougou and Savé.   

Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity? 

 

Few suppliers have their own chain of production in the sense that it makes up most of the supply. Will usually collect food in areas where they are known.   

Does the supplier have its own retail capacity? 

 

Most will combine retail and wholesale in the city where they are based. Import based wholesalers are more likely to specialise. Some wholesalers will have extensive networks.   

Does the supplier have its own transport capacity? 

Some have their own transport capacity. All listed in page 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List can arrange transport.   

Does the supplier have its own storage facilities? 

The suppliers listed in section 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List have storage facilities, either rented or owned. 

Approximate Turnover in MT 

 

Most wholesalers in the contact list 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List can be relied on for tonnages up to 1,000 mt per procurement but may encounter problems if this limit is exceeded. For quantities surpassing 1,000 mt wholesalers such as ETG SARL, Sociéte Sherika Oluwa Toyin, Société DIFEZI et Fils, have the capacity to meet demands.  

Payment Methods Accepted 

Cash, bank transfer, checks  

Other Comments or Key Information 

Taxes are applicable on the market’s transactions in Benin  

Other Locations 

Region(s) 

Service Location(s) 

Littoral – Louémé-Zou-Borgou- Atakora, etc.   

Cotonou (Littoral), Porto Novo (Louémé), Bohicon (Zou), Parakou (Borgou), Natitingou (Atakora)  

Plateau - Donga- Alibori- Atlantique   

Pobè- Djougou- Kandi- Ouida   

 

 

 

Primary Goods / Commodities Available 

Commodities by Type** 

(SITC Rev 4 Division Code - Title) 

Comments 

00 - Live animals (other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.) 

i.e. sheep and goats, swine, poultry…  

Can be obtained through marketplaces throughout the country. Mostly cattle, sheep, cows. The biggest market offerings are from June to February. Pig farms are established for all months of the year but have more offering in December during the end of year seasonal holidays.   

01 - Meat and meat preparations 

i.e meat of bovine animals, meat of sheep, dried or smoked meat of swine, sausages… 

Locally produced all year long. Can be obtained through Abattoirs of Cotonou and in the main towns or through wholesalers such as Miseboo, Akpakpa Markets and the Supermarkets.   

02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs 

i.e. milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, eggs… 

Local production. Benin doesn’t have an industrial of milk production. The traditional technology of production of Fulani cheese called waragashi occupies an important place in the artisanal processing of fresh milk. 

03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs… 

i.e. fish (chilled or frozen), fish (salted or in brine), fish liver and roes… 

Obtainable through markets (local fishery) and supermarkets and small wholesalers linked to the port of Cotonou and the local fishers in the lakes, rivers. 

04 - Cereals and cereal preparations 

i.e. wheat, rice, flour of maize, pasta... 

Maize, rice, sorghum and millet are locally produced, other products are imported. The larger wholesalers can be found in the contact list 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List.  

05 - Vegetables and fruit 

i.e. vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juices… 

Mostly imported. Some quantities of fruits, mangoes, oranges, onions are local produced. They can be found through retailers and local markets. 

06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey 

i.e. sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar … 

Brown sugar is produced in Benin, but not in enough quantity to be exported on regular basis. Benin imports other sugars. The local honey as well.  The larger import wholesalers can be found in the contact list 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List.   

07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof 

i.e. coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper… 

Some quantities produced in Benin. But the quantity is insufficient. The largest quantity is Imported. The larger import wholesalers can be found in the contact list 4.10 Benin Supplier Contact List.   

09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations 

i.e. ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts… 

Will produce ready-to-eat foods locally.  

41 - Animal oils and fats 

i.e. lard, fats and oils… 

Some small societies have been mentioned as producer of ready-to-eat foods locally, around Cotonou and Porto Novo. 

42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated 

i.e. soya bean oil, olive oil, maize oil, vegetable oil… 

Fludor in Bohicon has a processing factory for edible oils.  

 

**For non-food products please see section 3.5.2 Additional Suppliers, and for FUEL/PETROLEUM products please see section 3.1 Fuel

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Yamaya Supermarché 

For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link 

Retail Sector 

The retail market in Benin has been growing in recent years, especially around Porto Novo and Cotonou. In fact, outside of bigger towns most Beninese still buying from local markets (for the food that they cannot cultivate themselves by subsistence farming). Most products sold in supermarkets are imported and thus more expensive: Mainly accessible for the population who have a higher suitable income. In general, Beninese population buy essential products in local markets (e.g., Dantokpa Market in Cotonou), and non-basic products in supermarkets (like meat, cosmetics, etc.).  

Erevan Bénin is the biggest distribution chain in the country, and it operates in partnership with the French firm, Carrefour. 

The main supermarket chains active in Benin include: 

Attidza 

CBND 

Erevan Hypermarché 

Étoile 

Mayfair 

Megamart 

Starlight 

Unidis 

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