Export readiness for the dried pineapple sector

The challenge

Benin grows high-quality pineapple, but its dried pineapple processors were small and many depended on donor pilots. Supplying EU buyers needs steady volumes, sound costing and food safety systems. CBI needed to know which companies could get there and what support would make the difference.

What we did

• Assessed processors' production flow, food safety, costing, management and export potential.
• Coached companies on cost price calculation, productivity and realistic plans to grow.
• Led market visits to Germany and the Netherlands to see shelf prices, packaging and buyer demands.
• Designed the CBI support programme: selection criteria, order of support and routes to EU markets.

Results

• 12 processing companies assessed in depth, and a smaller group selected for structured support.
• Factory blueprints and minimum scale defined for supplying EU buyers consistently.
• Market visits corrected companies' assumptions on price, packaging, volumes and logistics.
• We are preparing 7 companies for export: we help them choose dryers, design their plants and line up finance, and we hold calls with EU importers.
• Importers told us demand is higher than supply, that they buy half or full containers from one supplier, and that organic certification is a must.
• Two of the companies exhibit at SIAL in October 2026.