Brown rice market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Cameroon's brown rice production remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 188.2 thousand tons to 190.1 thousand tons. This period was marked by high dependence on rice imports, with record volumes in 2019, which prompted government initiatives to modernize the sector. State-owned enterprises like SEMRY worked on land development and seed control, while a multisectoral framework was established to improve access to irrigated land and enhanced seeds.

After a decline to 165.7 thousand tons in 2021, production surged to 216.6 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 226.3 thousand tons in 2023. This growth coincided with specific programs such as the PADFA II call for proposals to enhance the rice value chain and training sessions by AfricaRice and IRAD on modern production techniques. The adoption of a national rice sector development strategy in 2023, aiming to raise local output to 750 thousand tons by 2030, supported this upward trend.

Production brown rice in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked 13th globally in brown rice production.

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Cameroon's brown rice production declined. In 2020, the country produced 183.4 K t of brown rice, marking a moderate decrease of 3.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 190.1 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 14.8%.

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

Exports brown rice from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Cameroon's brown rice exports peaked in 2018 at 3 282 t and hit their lowest point in 2019 at 18 t, representing a 185-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports rebounded to 96 t, a significant increase of 440.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 99.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1 192.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Central African Republic and Nigeria formed the core of Cameroon's brown rice exports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.6% 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

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Export values reached their maximum in 2018 at 2 627 K $ US and their minimum in 2020 at 21 K $ US, showing a 128-fold variation. In 2020, Cameroon exported 21 K $ US worth of brown rice, representing a year-over-year decline of 78.4%. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a drop of 96.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 561.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Central African Republic and Nigeria were the primary destinations for Cameroon's brown rice exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports brown rice to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed signs of volatility throughout the observed period. Import volumes reached their highest level in 2017 and their lowest in 2018, with a 29-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon imported approximately 12 t of brown rice, up by 113.2% from the previous year. The smallest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 96.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 142.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Gabon, and France remained the main suppliers of brown rice to Cameroon in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 62.2% of imports, Gabon for 9.1%, and France for 8.5%, together forming 79.8% of total import volumes.

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

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Import values varied 14.8 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Cameroon's brown rice imports amounted to 9 K $ US, an increase of 78.5% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 93.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 85.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, France, and Gabon continued to be the primary suppliers of brown rice to Cameroon in value terms. Thailand accounted for 53.5% of imports, France for 16.0%, and Gabon for 7.2%, collectively representing 76.6% of total import values.

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

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