Shea : A threatened industry

The government launched, yesterday wednesday 8 September, the shea nut marketing campaign for the season 2021-2022. According to the press release from the Council of Ministers, the opening of the said campaign will take place on 16 September 2021 to Nikki. It will end on 31 May 2022. The floor purchase price from the producer is fixed at 100 FCFA / kg and constitutes a renewal of the price of the past campaign, in accordance with the proposals of the players in the sector.

If this announcement is good news for sellers, mainly rural women, The fact remains that the shea nut and its marketing are strongly threatened. Several factors contribute to the decline in enthusiasm for this annuity product. The main threat comes from the price at which it is sold, is 100 CFA francs per kilogram on behalf of this season. For its part, the cashew nut transfer price revolves around 400 CFA francs, which makes the latter much more interesting. It should be noted that the shea tree and the cashew tree grow mainly in the savannas, mainly between the areas of Dassa-Zoumè in the south and N’Dali in the north. Therefore, the two products are engaged in a merciless competition for the occupation of land. One being more commercially interesting, the peasants do not hesitate to kill the other to clear the space. This is how over the years, the number of shea has dropped drastically.

Moreover, whereas after four years the cashew tree begins to produce, we have to wait a few decades for his rival who, Moreover, rather grows naturally and not planted by humans like the cashew tree. With over 120.000 tons in 2020 is around 27 billion CFA francs, Benin is the fourth largest producer of shea nuts in West Africa.

Known for its fat, shea butter is used, au nord Benin, as consumption oil. It is used in the making of several products, especially in the cosmetics industry (lotions, know) and in the pharmaceutical and food industry such as chocolate.

Considering the long time that the young plan takes to start producing, shea remains a little cultivated tree. Its nut is obtained by collecting it in the bush. With demographic and agricultural pressure, its natural space is increasingly eaten away in favor of homes and fields. Moreover, trees are felled to make mortars or to make charcoal.

The revaluation of this export product will be done when the farmers derive a significant profit from it, as is the case with cotton, cashew or soy.

Pierre MATCHOUDO