Rice purchasing and consumption trends in Bénin’s cities

Once regarded as a luxury commodity in West Africa, rice has become a staple food, particularly in urban areas of Benin. Despite considerable potential for local production, consumption remains heavily reliant on imported rice. The study explored rice purchasing and consumption behaviours in three key urban centers of Bénin, aiming to formulate strategic suggestions for promoting the current use of local rice production and consumption in Bénin. Data were collected through structured surveys targeting households, restaurateurs, and institutional buyers in the cities of Cotonou, Parakou, and Bohicon. Analysis revealed a strong preference for imported rice, primarily due to its superior characteristics such as cleanliness, whiteness, aroma, and swelling capacity-attributes that align closely with local consumer preferences. Consumption patterns varied across cities. Indeed, Parakou predominantly favours dished made with swelling rice, while Cotonou households displayed a preference for aromatic varieties. While local rice was cost-competitive, it was frequently regarded as being of lower quality compared to imported rice. To enhance the competitiveness of local rice and to reduce import dependency, the study suggests investing in production technologies to improve its quality and sensory attributes. A segmented marketing strategy, combined with campaigns that highlight the cultural and economic significance of local rice, is critical. Moreover, public policy should focus on strengthening the capacity of local producers and processors, introducing quality certification systems, and mandating the use of local rice in public institutions.