Benin's merchandise exports recorded 188,844.9 million FCFA in sales during the second quarter of 2026, according to figures released by the Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INStaD). This total reflects the value of goods sold by Benin to international markets, encompassing various regions such as Asia, Africa, Europe, America, and Oceania. The performance of these exports is a key indicator of the country's trade balance and economic activity for the period. While the overall article notes annual growth, this specific quarterly figure provides a snapshot of recent export trends.
Top Exports and Destinations
Uncarded or uncombed cotton represented Benin's leading export, generating 63,569.5 million FCFA. Edible nuts followed, contributing 27,134.0 million FCFA to the export total. Oilcakes and other residues ranked third among exports, with sales reaching 17,993.4 million FCFA. Asia emerged as the primary destination for these goods, absorbing 57.5% of Benin's total export value. African nations collectively accounted for 22.1% of the exports, while Europe received 12.3%. America imported 8.1% of Benin's merchandise. During the second quarter, Benin's imports reached a total of 488,238.2 million FCFA. Fertilizers constituted a significant portion of these imports, ranking third at 34,408.3 million FCFA. Overall, imports registered a 4.1% decrease compared to the previous year.
Quarterly Decline Drivers
Benin's merchandise exports saw an 18.4% decrease when compared to the first quarter of 2026. Data from the Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INStaD) indicates that ships, including lightships, fire-fighting vessels, dredgers, and floating cranes, were the primary contributors to this quarterly export decline, accounting for -21.1 points. Cotton exports also played a role in the downturn, contributing -3.9 points to the decrease. Fixed vegetable fats, excluding sweet varieties, further impacted the decline by -3.4 points. Conversely, imports increased by 3.7% over the three-month period. Asia served as the largest supplier of these imports, providing 49.1% of the total. Petroleum oils, however, contributed -2.6 points to the annual import decline.
Annual Growth Contributors
Benin's external sales experienced a substantial annual increase of 59.3% year-on-year. This growth was significantly driven by edible nuts, which contributed +18.8 points to the overall annual export increase. Soybeans also played a key role, adding +15.0 points to the rise in exports. Cotton contributed an additional +9.8 points to the annual export growth.
Regarding imports, semi-bleached rice was the dominant product, accounting for 99,790.9 million FCFA. Europe supplied a significant portion of these imports, representing 23.2% of the total. Conversely, telephony devices contributed negatively to the annual import trend, causing a -1.6 points decline.
Cotton Production Context
During the 2025-2026 campaign, Benin produced 533,590 tons of seed cotton, becoming the leading cotton producer in the CFA zone for the first time, surpassing Mali. Benin's national cotton harvest, however, decreased by 16.3% year-on-year. Mali's cotton production dropped by 39.5% to 397,540 tons. Benin also leads Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in cotton production amidst a generalized regional decline. A portion of Benin's cotton output is increasingly directed to processing units within the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, rather than solely the raw export circuit. Separately, petroleum oils ranked second in imports, totaling 38,811.7 million FCFA. Africa supplied 17.5% of imports, while unmilled wheat contributed -1.3 points to the annual import decline.