If you’re looking to invest in Africa, there’s something special about Benin’s pineapples. Farmers here call them “gold from the ground,” and it’s easy to understand why. The pineapples are incredibly sweet, juicy, and flavorful, better than many others found around the world.

But it’s not just about taste. Pineapples are changing lives in Benin. Many families now earn good money by growing them. Right now, Benin is rapidly increasing pineapple production, reaching thousands of markets globally. The government, international groups, and local businesses all see pineapples as a great chance to grow and succeed. For investors, this means the chance to be part of a rising success story, where investing can mean good profits and also positively changing people’s lives.

Understand how Benin’s pineapple production evolved into a major investment opportunity.

Discover government initiatives that are boosting the pineapple sector’s growth.

Identify promising areas for investment in Benin’s pineapple industry.

In the southern regions of Benin, pineapples were cultivated in small family gardens. These fruits were grown for personal consumption or sold in local markets. There was little consideration for large-scale production.​

Over the past two decades, however, the landscape of pineapple cultivation in Benin has changed a lot. By 2021, Benin produced approximately 406,220 tonnes of pineapples, positioning it among the top producers in Africa.​ Most pineapples in Benin grow in the Atlantique Department. About 70% of the farmers there grow pineapples. This area alone produces almost 95% of all pineapples in the country.

Benin mainly grows two types of pineapples:

1. Sugarloaf: This pineapple is very sweet and popular. About 75% of Benin’s pineapples are Sugarloaf.
2. Smooth Cayenne: This pineapple is good for making juice and other products. It is mostly grown for exporting to other countries.

Benin’s Sugarloaf Pineapple

Benin’s specialty, the Sugarloaf pineapple, is almost absent from European markets today. But the country is now working hard to bring it back. The Sugarloaf is known for its green skin, white, juicy flesh, tender core, and high sugar level.

It has a sweet and rich taste that makes it different from other types like ExtraSweet, Smooth Cayenne, and Victoria. Since flavor is key, Sugarloaf pineapples are mostly exported by air to maintain fresh quality. Pineapple is the third most exported crop in Benin after cotton and cashew. Pineapple production grew from around 50,000 tonnes in 2000 to over 450,000 tonnes in recent years. More than half of this is sold to Nigeria.

The Sugarloaf variety makes up 75% of the total pineapple grown in Benin. It is popular because:

It resists pests better than other types

It needs less maintenance

It grows well in southern Benin’s soil and climate

About 97% of production is in the Atlantique Department, especially in the Allada plateau, just 50 km from Cotonou. Most farmers are smallholders who own 0.5 to 1 hectare of land. Some larger farms, run individually or by cooperatives, are over 5 hectares.

In recent years, Benin’s pineapple industry has transformed from serving local markets to international trade. In 2023, Benin exported approximately 3.7 million kilograms of fresh or dried pineapples, generating over $1 million in revenue.

France currently exports a significant amount of Benin’s pineapples, accounting for 80% of the market. Overdependence on a single market can be risky. Hence, Benin is exploring opportunities to diversify its export destinations. The country is trying to meet the standards required for entry into the Chinese market.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. The sector is characterized by fragmentation. Numerous small-scale exporters are operating independently, leading to inconsistent quality and pricing. To mitigate this, the Beninese Pineapple Exporters Association has proposed the formation of a centralized system to streamline operations and enhance competitiveness.

Benin’s pineapple industry has made significant strides in expanding its global footprint. However, continued investment is required. The country needs to improve in quality control, infrastructure, and market diversification to sustain and enhance its export potential.

Benin’s pineapple exports to the European Union faced a serious challenge. In July 2024, a shipment of Beninese pineapples was flagged in France for exceeding permissible levels of ethephon, a chemical used in farming. These levels were above the EU’s Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). As a result, the Beninese government had to suspend all exports of colored pineapples to Europe for eight months from December 2016 to October 2017.

This prolonged break led to Benin losing its position in the European market. While Benin was out, countries like Ghana and Togo stepped in and took over its traditional buyers. By 2018, exports had dropped to just 807 tonnes, compared to 3,600 tonnes in 2014–2015. Early 2019 did not show much recovery either.

Government Response and New Measures

To fix the problem and regain trust, the Beninese government took several important steps. The government quickly set up pre-shipment checks to test for pesticide residues in all export shipments. Authorities strengthened the national sanitary control system to make sure all pineapples meet international safety standards.

The government is working closely with the Inter-professional Pineapple Association (AIAB) to improve product quality and organize the industry better. It also supports efforts to get Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) status for the Sugarloaf pineapple. This certification will protect the product’s identity and ensure its quality is recognized worldwide.

These are helping rebuild the reputation of Benin’s pineapples, especially the Sugarloaf variety.

Benin’s government is helping the pineapple sector grow in many ways. The government is encouraging farmers to improve the production, quality, and export of pineapples. These have strengthened through partnerships with international organizations. This collaboration has helped build better infrastructure, train farmers, and increase market access.

• Agricultural Competitiveness and Export Diversification Project (PACOFIDE): This project started in 2020 with support from the World Bank and FAO. It helps improve farming conditions and infrastructure for crops like pineapples. An additional $150 million in financing was approved in 2024 to further expand pineapple and cashew nut production, develop irrigation and mechanization, and promote investments and access to finance.​
• Quality Control: In response to past challenges with pesticide residues, the government established the Central Laboratory of Food Safety Control (LCSSA). This lab, built with help from the IAEA and the FAO, checks pineapples for harmful chemicals. It ensures Benin’s pineapples meet international safety standards.
• Improved Infrastructure: To support the export of perishable goods like pineapples, cold storage logistics centers have been made at Cotonou Airport. This preserves the freshness of the goods while they wait for export.
• Market Diversification: Recognizing the risks of over-reliance on a single market, Benin is exploring opportunities to diversify its export destinations.

Overall, Benin’s government is working to boost the pineapple industry. Continued investment and support will help farmers sell more pineapples to more places around the world. And that is where investors can step in and get an immense return.

Benin’s pineapple industry is not only about cultivating and exporting fresh fruit. There’s a significant opportunity in processing pineapples into various products, adding value, and creating new markets.​

Currently, over 70 small enterprises in Benin are involved in transforming pineapples into juice, dried fruit, and other derivatives. However, many of these enterprises operate below capacity due to challenges such as raw material shortages and limited access to advanced processing equipment. Investors have the opportunity to bridge this gap by establishing modern processing facilities, thereby increasing production efficiency and meeting both domestic and international demand. ​

The global demand for processed pineapple products, such as juice, dried fruit, and canned goods, is on the rise. Health-conscious consumers are driving this trend, seeking nutritious and convenient food options. Benin enjoys a strategic geographical position, sharing its borders with Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. Its improving infrastructure makes it well-positioned to meet this growing demand. ​

Furthermore, the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) offers a beneficial environment for such investments, providing infrastructure, tax incentives, and streamlined administrative processes.

Benin’s pineapple industry is not just about economic gains. It’s also a story of sustainable practices and inclusive development. It impacts the lives of many, especially women and youth.​

Empowering Women in the Pineapple Sector

Women play a crucial role in Benin’s pineapple value chain, often involved in cultivation, processing, and marketing. Nearly 80% of those involved in the pineapple value chain are women. Recognizing their contributions, Benin is launching initiatives to empower women with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in this sector.

In Benin, the Entrepreneurship Development Programme in the Pineapple Value Chain (DEFIA), is helping rural women improve their skills and income through pineapple farming. Most of these women had little education and no identity cards, which made it hard for them to get loans, register land, or manage their farms properly.

Through training sessions and support from Enabel and the University of Namur, more than 670 women learned how to manage money, keep farm records, and apply for microfinance. The project also helped them get identity cards and access to land. Their husbands were also involved to support the process.

As a result, women are now planning better, growing their farms, and earning more money. This is helping their families and making rural women stronger financially and socially. This initiative is not only boosting family incomes but also helping to build a more inclusive and empowered rural society in Benin.

Benin’s Green Shift in Pineapple Farming

Benin has launched a new Africa-EU initiative to make pineapple farming more sustainable. The project is supported by VLIR-UOS (Belgium) and brings together universities and private partners to tackle key challenges like soil degradation and high energy use in pineapple juice production. It uses pineapple waste to create biogas for energy and organic fertiliser.

The project is a joint effort between KU Leuven, the University of Abomey-Calavi, UNSTIM, and local cooperatives. It supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through biogas, it ensures access to clean energy (SDG 7). Organic fertiliser improves soil quality and crop output (SDG 2), while reducing chemical use supports sustainable production (SDG 12).

Gender equality is also a central focus. Over half of the pineapple producers and processors in the project are women. The project involves them in training, leadership roles, and decision-making, especially in areas like biogas production and soil improvement. Two female professors are also leading the initiative, aiming to inspire more women to pursue higher education and careers in agriculture and environmental sciences.

The initiative also invests in education. It trains eight Master’s students and two PhD candidates, with at least half being women. The PhD students will study at KU Leuven and contribute to local expertise in renewable energy and agriculture.

New equipment will help students learn about waste treatment and biogas systems. The project’s results will be published in academic papers and guides. These resources will be shared in Benin and other African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries through the Fit For Market Plus programme.

In summary, Benin’s pineapple industry exemplifies how agricultural development can be both economically viable and socially inclusive, fostering sustainable growth that benefits the entire community.

Promo Fruits Benin is a company that has become a beacon of success in Benin’s pineapple industry. Founded in 2001 by Mr. Dieu-Donné Alladjodjo, a visionary pineapple farmer from Allada, Promo Fruits began with a simple mission: to process Benin’s sweet Sugarloaf pineapples into juice for local markets. He named the juice “IRA,” honoring the Initiative to Promote Pineapple, a farmers’ association with which he was deeply involved.​

Over the years, Promo Fruits steadily grew, even beyond Benin’s borders. By 2014, the company was exporting IRA pineapple juice to neighboring countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. This growth was about creating opportunities for local farmers and contributing to the regional economy.​

In 2016, Promo Fruits partnered with the Pineapple Processing for Export (PINEX) project, which provided training on best processing and hygiene practices. This collaboration also opened doors to international markets, leading to contracts with buyers in Senegal and Morocco. By 2021, Promo Fruits reported sales exceeding $8.1 million, with close to 90% of its business catering to regional countries.

The company’s success is not limited to financial achievements. Promo Fruits has made significant investments in infrastructure and capacity building. In 2019, with support from PINEX, they constructed a warehouse and a dedicated classroom for the ongoing training of their 2,880 members. They also implemented innovative financing mechanisms, providing fertilizers to members on credit and enhancing access to loans through trained IRA Loan Officers equipped with modern tools.

In 2024, Promo Fruits celebrated the expansion of its pineapple juice factory in Allada, increasing its processing capacity from 40 to 200 metric tons per day. This expansion, supported by a $2 million co-investment grant from the Trade Hub through Prosper Africa, was a significant milestone. The ceremony was attended by over 140 guests, including government officials and representatives from USAID, highlighting the company’s impact on improving livelihoods in Benin. ​

Promo Fruits Benin’s journey exemplifies how strategic investments, partnerships, and a commitment to quality can transform a local enterprise into a regional powerhouse. Their story serves as an inspiration for investors and entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful impact in the agri-food sector.

Benin’s pineapple industry is a growing opportunity with a global impact. Benin’s pineapples carry more than flavor, and they carry the hopes of thousands of farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs. With rising demand, strong government backing, and inspiring models like Promo Fruits, this sector offers more returns than one can imagine. For investors, the time to grow with Benin is now.