Original Story Published by: Mildred Europa Taylor, www.theafricareport.com
Photo Source: The Africa Report
(Above) Sugarloaf Pineapple from the Allada Plateau, Benin.
The obtention of this first PGI for its Sugarloaf pineapple, has bestowed Benin with international recognition of one of its main agricultural products. In the longer term, the country's entire agriculture sector could benefit from this process.
“Sugarloaf Pineapple from the Allada Plateau, Benin” is the exact name under which the first Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label ever obtained by Benin was registered on 28th October at the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
An excellent advantage for international trade
This PGI is issued by the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI), which comprises 17 African Member States. It recognises a product whose given quality is essentially attributable to its geographical origin, (quality of the soil, climate, etc.). In short, it is an excellent advantage in terms of international trade. Benin’s PGI label is the result of years of collaboration between the OAPI and the Support to the Strengthening of Private Sector Operators project (PARASEP), financed by the French Development Agency and the European Union.
The pineapple industry supported by the government’s action programme
Pineapple growing is one of the promising agricultural sectors supported by the Government’s Action Programme (PAG), which President Patrice Talon has been pursuing for the past five years, along with cotton, rice, cashew nuts and shea butter. Its aim is to encourage the establishment of agricultural and industrial clusters and to make the agricultural sector, which employs around 70% of the working population, a lever for economic development. This policy saw Benin’s total pineapple production reach 350,345 tons in 2019, over 100,000 tons more than in 2016
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