Benin cotton holds a special place in the country's economy. In the 2025-2026 season, Benin in fact regained its position as Africa's leading cotton producer, ahead of Mali. The crop supports many rural families, above all in the north. It also feeds a young textile industry and the country's exports. Here are the key figures, how the sector works and what it offers investors.
Benin cotton in figures
In the 2025-2026 season, Benin harvested 533,590 tonnes of seed cotton. That is 16.3% less than a year earlier. Even so, it was enough to put the country at the top of the CFA franc zone, because Mali's output fell much more sharply.
| Country | 2025-2026 output (tonnes of seed cotton) | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Benin | 533,590 | -16.3% |
| Mali | 397,540 | -39.5% |
| Burkina Faso | 313,042 | +7% |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 310,407 | -0.4% |
| Cameroon | 250,722 | -11.9% |
Source: regional programme for integrated cotton production in Africa (PR-PICA), figures reported by the press in August 2026.
The country had already topped 700,000 tonnes in the early 2020s. The challenge, therefore, is to get back to that level. Yields depend heavily on rainfall and pests. In 2022, for example, an outbreak of jassids, small sap-sucking insects, cut harvests across West Africa.
Where and how cotton grows in Benin
A northern growing belt
Above all, most of the crop comes from the Alibori and Borgou departments. For instance, the commune of Banikoara, in Alibori, is one of the country's main cotton areas. Farmers also grow cotton in Atacora, Donga, Collines and Zou. The calendar follows the rainy season: sowing takes place around June and July, then the harvest runs roughly from October to January.
Family farms
Most Benin cotton growers work small family plots. At the start of the season, they receive seed, fertiliser and pesticides on credit. The sector then deducts their value from the payment for the crop. As a result, even small farmers can access good inputs.
After the harvest, ginning mills separate the fibre from the seed. The fibre accounts for about 40% of the weight of seed cotton. The seeds, meanwhile, go into cooking oil and cattle feed.
An organised sector with prices set in advance
The Association interprofessionnelle du coton (AIC) brings together growers, ginners and input suppliers. In addition, it coordinates supply, collection and marketing. The government, for its part, sets the purchase price of seed cotton every year before sowing. Farmers therefore know their income per kilo before they plant.
For the 2026-2027 season, the Council of Ministers of 13 May 2026 approved the following prices:
- Conventional cotton: 300 FCFA per kilo for first grade and 250 FCFA for second grade;
- Organic cotton: 360 FCFA per kilo for first grade and 310 FCFA for second grade.
In practice, 300 FCFA comes to about 0.46 euro at the fixed rate of 655.957 FCFA per euro. The higher price for organic cotton also encourages an organic sector that is still small.
Processing Benin cotton at home
For a long time, Benin exported almost all its raw fibre, mainly to Asia. However, most added value comes from spinning, weaving and garment making. That is why the state is betting on the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), some forty kilometres north of Cotonou.
There, integrated plants already turn part of the fibre into yarn, fabric and clothing. For example, Benin Textile Corporation announces a capacity of 24 million garments a year. Still, the share processed locally remains small, around a tenth of output according to the business press. The aim is to raise it and create industrial jobs.
Part of the crop also carries the Cotton made in Africa (CMIA) label. This reassures European brands that care about traceability and working conditions.
An economic engine and business opportunities
Alongside cashew nuts, cotton is one of Benin's leading exports. It also drives activity at the Port of Cotonou, where the fibre bales are shipped. Finally, it supports incomes across the rural north.
For Belgian companies, Benin cotton opens several niches: farm machinery, ginning, textiles, logistics or certification. Our article on growth sectors in Benin explores these options. See also our Investing in Benin page and the key figures of Benin's economy in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Benin really Africa's largest cotton producer?
Yes, for the 2025-2026 season, with 533,590 tonnes of seed cotton. However, the ranking changes from year to year: Mali came first in the previous season.
What is the difference between seed cotton and lint?
First, seed cotton comes straight from the field. Ginning then produces the lint, or fibre, about 40% of the weight, plus the seeds.
How much does a Benin cotton farmer earn?
For 2026-2027, the guaranteed price is 300 FCFA per kilo for first-grade conventional cotton and 360 FCFA for organic. Final income then depends on yields and input costs.
Can I visit a cotton-growing area?
Yes, especially between November and January, during the harvest in the north. Before you leave, apply for your electronic visa on the official platform.
Benin cotton therefore remains a pillar of the economy and an asset for partnerships with Belgium. If you are preparing a project in the sector, Honorary Consulate of Benin in Liège can point you in the right direction and handle the legalisation of your documents. For any question, contact the consular post.
Sources
- La Nation: 2026-2027 cotton season, input and seed cotton prices (in French)
- La Nouvelle Tribune: Benin becomes the top cotton producer in the CFA zone (August 2026, in French)
- World Bank: Benin economic overview
- APIEx: Invest in Benin, the investment promotion agency
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