Securing the flows of feed ingredient supplies and commercialization of products in the poultry sector: Case of the egg value chain in Benin

Abstract

With the increasing global demand for poultry products and the price volatility of feed ingredients used in animal diets, it seemed interesting to investigate the structuring dynamics of a tropical poultry value chain and the strategies used by the stakeholders to secure their raw material supplies and markets. A study of the Beninese egg value chain was thus performed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with egg produc­ers and stakeholders involved all along the value chain. These interviews provided insight into its organization and func­tioning. The results showed that upstream egg production in Benin was affected by the price volatility and low availability of animal feed raw materials on the country’s markets. Down­stream, farmers and traders were faced with consumers’ needs that were irregular and disconnected from production cycles. The various stakeholders adopted several strategies in terms of live-animal supply and egg flow via parallel or informal chan­nels. However, improved productivity can only be guaranteed if outlets are controlled. Setting up central purchasing and dis­tribution would supply the egg market with a balanced contin­uous flow, but underlying mechanisms need to be identified. The results highlighted the importance of alternative feeding systems offering more flexibility in the farm types identified.