Benin: Lifting of the ban on the export of food products
Actors in the agricultural and commercial sectors can now resume their export activities. The Beninese government lifted, as of June 23, 2025, the ban on the export of staple foods such as corn, cassava, gari, and cassava flour, in accordance with the current regulatory texts.
This decision was made public through a press release signed by the deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. It marks the end of a restriction regime that was in place for over a year, aimed at securing the supply of the national market.
The ban, established by order No. 2024 051/MIC/MAEP/MEF/DC/SGM/DGD/DCI/SA dated June 7, 2024, was aimed at preventing the risks of food shortage and stabilizing the prices of basic necessities.
It came about in a context of soaring prices for foodstuffs and high tensions on food security in the West African sub-region.
In order to ensure the successful resumption of exports, the Republican police have been instructed to accompany operations on the ground, particularly in border areas and export corridors. However, authorities remind that the concerned actors must strictly comply with the current regulatory provisions.
This lift is seen as a positive signal for economic operators, particularly agricultural cooperatives, merchants and exporters, who are hoping for a regain in activity after a long period of blockage.
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