The Benin government is investing in a massive 160-hectare wholesale market, expected to be operational by early 2027, to transform the country's fruit and vegetable sector. Located just north of Cotonou, the market is a key component of Benin's economic transformation plan. The project aims to increase the country's agricultural exports and generate new wealth for the national economy. The market will be a game-changer for the sector, which currently accounts for 25.4% of Benin's GDP and 59.1% of its national export earnings.
The market's design is inspired by the international Rungis market in the Paris region, considered a world leader in its field. Benin's authorities have partnered with French experts to develop the site, which will feature eight pavilions dedicated to the sale and storage of fresh products, as well as two cold storage pavilions and six dry storage pavilions. The market will also have a strategic fruit quay, directly connected to export zones and air freight, allowing for efficient and large-scale trade.
The market is expected to have a significant impact on Benin's agricultural sector, which employs around 2.5 million people. The project aims to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the country's agricultural revenue. By structuring the cold chain and conditioning process, Benin hopes to maximize its earnings from agricultural exports. The market will also be connected to 35 new urban and rural retail markets, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce to local consumers.
According to Eric Akouté, director general of the Benin Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEx), the infrastructure is already in place, and the authorities are currently recruiting operators. The project has been praised by Timothée Witkowski, head of international projects at Semmaris, the company managing Rungis market, who described it as "enormous" and a significant achievement for Benin.
The market is part of a broader plan to boost Benin's economic growth, which reached 8.1% in 2025, with the agricultural sector growing by 8.4%. The government aims to create a more efficient and competitive agricultural sector, with a focus on exporting high-quality products to international markets, particularly in Europe.
The project has been hailed as a major achievement for Benin's agricultural sector, with the potential to transform the country's economy. The market is expected to become a hub for fruit and vegetable exports, providing a platform for local farmers and producers to access international markets.
The Benin government is confident that the market will have a positive impact on the country's economy and the lives of its citizens. With the sector's growth, the government aims to improve the livelihoods of the 2.5 million people employed in agriculture and increase the country's revenue from agricultural exports.
Key points
- The market is expected to increase Benin's agricultural exports and generate new wealth for the national economy.
- The project aims to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the country's agricultural revenue.
- The market will be connected to 35 new urban and rural retail markets, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce to local consumers.
