Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West and Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Benin is accelerating its push to process more of its agricultural output at home, with a $50 million investment in a new soybean crushing and animal feed complex expected to strengthen links between crop farmers, processors and livestock producers.
EHUA Industries began operations at its eight-hectare facility in the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in September, adding significant industrial capacity to a soybean sector that has expanded rapidly in recent years.
The complex includes a soybean crushing unit capable of processing about 300 tonnes a day, alongside an animal feed plant with an annual production capacity of up to 180,000 tonnes. The project is designed to turn locally grown soybeans into oil and protein-rich meal, while supplying feed to poultry and livestock farmers.
For Beninese soybean growers, the expansion of domestic processing could offer a more reliable market for their harvests as production continues to rise.
Government figures show that soybean output reached about 520,900 tonnes in the 2023 campaign. Benin has set a target of 770,000 tonnes for the 2026-2027 agricultural season, an increase of nearly 48% from that earlier level.
That growth is creating pressure to ensure that industrial demand keeps pace with agricultural production.
At full operating capacity, the new EHUA crushing facility could process close to 100,000 tonnes of soybeans annually, depending on the number of operating days. This would provide an additional outlet for farmers, although it would still account for only part of the country’s projected soybean harvest.
The investment also reflects a broader shift in Benin’s economic strategy. Authorities have increasingly sought to reduce exports of unprocessed agricultural commodities and retain more value within the country through local manufacturing.
The human impact of that strategy is particularly important in rural areas, where soybean farming supports thousands of households. For producers, the development of large processing plants could mean more stable commercial opportunities. For livestock farmers, greater domestic production of animal feed could eventually improve access to locally manufactured inputs.
The new facility is also expected to deepen connections between Benin’s crop and livestock industries. Soybean meal produced during crushing can be used in feed for poultry, pigs, cattle and other animals, creating a more integrated agricultural value chain.
Looking ahead, Benin’s soybean industry is likely to depend increasingly on whether processing capacity can grow alongside production. If the country reaches its target of 770,000 tonnes in the 2026-2027 season, demand for industrial facilities capable of absorbing larger volumes of soybeans will become even more critical.
The $50 million EHUA investment represents a significant step in that direction, but it also highlights the scale of the challenge ahead. As harvests increase, Benin will need additional investment in processing, storage, transport and agricultural supply chains to prevent rising production from exceeding domestic industrial demand.
For the country, the next phase may therefore be less about producing more soybeans and more about building an economy capable of transforming them into higher-value products.
If current production targets are achieved and new processing investments continue, Benin could strengthen its position as one of West Africa’s emerging agro-industrial hubs, while creating more opportunities for farmers, factory workers and businesses operating across the agricultural value chain.
