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Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a root crop of considerable economic, nutritional, and industrial importance among tuber crops. Despite its multiple uses, taro remains a neglected and underutilized species. This study aimed to identify stakeholders’ preference criteria and constraints along the taro value chain in order to enhance its valorization in Benin. A total of 102 taro producers, 76 traders, and 43 taro processors were surveyed through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions across 31 villages located in several districts of southern Benin. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, log-linear models (loglm), and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Producers identified the lack of high-yielding varieties (62.74%), labor shortages (62.74%), and skin irritation during handling (51.96%) as the major constraints to taro production. In contrast, product attributes such as color (24%), edibility of all plant parts (9%), and taste (27%) were among the least prioritized preference criteria by producers. A significant relationship was found between producers’ preference criteria and their sociocultural groups (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that extending the study to other taro-producing regions across the main production zones could help uncover additional constraints or challenges not identified by the stakeholders involved in this research. Overall, the results provide valuable insights to guide policymakers in designing effective extension services, breeding programs, and value-addition strategies to promote taro development in Benin.