Bananas market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Cameroon's banana production declined from 1 017 thousand tonnes to 839 thousand tonnes, while domestic market volume fell from 801 thousand tonnes to 633 thousand tonnes. The market showed resilience in 2019 when volume temporarily rose to 834 thousand tonnes, supported by the sector's ability to maintain exports despite a temporary halt at the state-owned Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC). Earlier efforts through the CARBAP strategic plan until 2022 promoted high-yielding banana varieties, laying a foundation for production capacity.

A turning point came in 2022 when an early drought starting in October delayed irrigation of banana plantations, directly affecting flowering and reducing output. That same year, private player Boh Plantations Limited launched six markets under the European Union's Banana Accompaniment Measures program, investing in infrastructure and equipment to bolster the sector amid challenging conditions.

The EU support program continued into 2023, helping producers manage weather-related constraints. By early 2024, CDC recorded its strongest export performance since September 2018, shipping 3 347 tonnes in January alone, indicating a recovery in export activity driven by public-sector engagement.

Production bananas in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Cameroon was among the world's leading banana producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 23rd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cameroon produced 948 K t of bananas, marking a 6.8% year-on-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cameroon's banana production declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 216.5 M $ US, down 5.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 9.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 288.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 20.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bananas from Cameroon

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, banana shipments from Cameroon to abroad increased in 2020, with exports reaching 188.6 K t, a slight improvement of 3.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 183.1 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom were the main markets for Cameroon's banana exports in kind, accounting for 56.9%, 17.7%, and 14.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 88.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, exported banana volumes from Cameroon increased in 2020, with exports valued at 43 065 K $ US, an uptick of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 41 123 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 33.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom continued to lead as the top buyers of bananas from Cameroon in value terms, with shares of 57.0%, 17.3%, and 14.6% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these markets accounted for 88.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Cameroon in value, 2017-2020

Imports bananas to Cameroon

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Cameroon imported approximately 0.0 K t of bananas, showing no significant change compared to 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports increased by 200%, with a compound annual growth rate of 44.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of banana imports in kind to Cameroon was primarily determined by Ghana and France, which together accounted for 100.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Cameroon imported approximately 0.0 K $ US of bananas, remaining flat compared to 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports increased by 104.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ghana and France formed the core markets for banana imports in value terms to Cameroon, with a combined share of 100.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cameroon in value, 2017-2020