Beef and buffalo meat market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Cameroonian beef and buffalo meat market stood at 150.8 thousand tonnes, but a sharp increase in retail prices for beef – with boneless meat rising from 2,500 to 3,000 FCFA per kg – led to decreased consumer traffic at butchers and financial losses for retailers, contributing to a significant market contraction to 107.0 thousand tonnes the following year.

From 2020, the market began a steady recovery, reaching 119.4 thousand tonnes in 2021, indicating a period of gradual expansion.

Despite the supply and cost shocks from the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, which raised input and import prices, the market grew to 126.5 thousand tonnes, driven by national policies aimed at food self-sufficiency and regional market expansion under the SND30 plan. The state-owned distributor SODEPA, controlling around 80% of the urban market share, played a key role by improving logistics and packaging for remote areas. Growth continued to 130.3 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by SODEPA's ongoing distribution enhancements and price monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Cameroon produced 110.0 thousand tons of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, representing a 2.8% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 17.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 107.0 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 150.8 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.1% decrease, whereas the largest growth was observed in 2018 with a 12.9% increase.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Cameroon

According to desk-based research findings, Cameroon did not export any beef and buffalo meat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Cameroon

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Import volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 3.3-fold difference between the low in 2018 at 10 842 kg and the high in 2019 at 35 978 kg. In 2020, Cameroon's beef and buffalo meat imports totaled 13 942 kg, marking a 61.2% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ethiopia, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Cameroon. France accounted for 40.0% of imports in kind, Ethiopia for 24.9%, and the Netherlands for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 80.2% of total imports in kind.

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

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years, with import values showing a 4.3-fold difference between the peak and trough from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, Cameroon's beef and buffalo meat import volume reached 25.9 thousand US dollars, down by 60.9% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 18.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the three main markets, collectively accounting for 69.9% of the total import value of beef and buffalo meat to Cameroon.

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

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