The government of Benin wishes to increase the pineapple production step by step from the present 150,000 tons to 600,000 tons in 2015, at the same time to make the Benin pineapple more available for local and international trade. In the long term there is a plan to export the pineapple in order to improve the trade balance of Benin. This was declared by the minister of agriculture of Benin.
In addition to research for improving the varieties a laboratory will be set up in the south of Benin. The crown cut off the pineapple in processing grows into a new plant. Also, courses about processing techniques and respect of quality norms will be established. Also assistants will be taught to instruct in the use and operation of processing machines. The minister added that the developed experience of self-supporting producers of dried fruit or fruit juices will also be recognised.
A recent study by the ministry has shown that the climate and the condition of the soil in the south of the country are ideal for the production of pineapple and support a good organoleptic quality. "Despite these advantages the pineapple production is hampered by the changing availability of good workers, the shortage of specific foodstuff, insufficient yields of the plants, a shortage of packing material and the absence of technical-economic material for comparison" says the research.
The same source, however, mentions that the production in the period from
2004-2006 increased from 110,000 tons to 150,000 tons because of an increase in area. Also in this period there was an increase in informal transactions to the neighbouring countries Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. "These growth figures give good perspectives as far as production and export increases are concerned, together with the improvement of local production processing" the same research mentions.