Cassava starch market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

Cassava starch production in Cameroon grew consistently from 7 444 tonnes in 2018 to 10 007 tonnes in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by the deployment of mobile processing units and the promotion of high-yield, high-starch cassava varieties from 2020 onward. The growth accelerated with the entry of new industrial players, notably the SOTRAMA joint venture in Sangmélima in 2022, which aimed to process 120 tonnes of cassava daily, alongside other local processing projects in the East region and Edea.

The domestic market volume fluctuated between 5 010 and 7 947 tonnes during the period, heavily influenced by export dynamics. A sharp rise in exports to 4 707 tonnes in 2022, driven by local producers actively seeking international clients, significantly reduced domestic availability that year. By 2023, increased production capacity and the mandatory application of 29 new agro-food quality standards by ANOR, which improved product traceability, helped restore the market volume to 7 190 tonnes. Major off-taker Nestlé Cameroon's ambition to source 1 500–1 800 tonnes of starch locally annually further stimulated the sector.

Underpinning these trends was a persistent national production deficit, with local output estimated at 19 million tonnes against a demand of 50 million tonnes. This gap spurred continuous investments, training initiatives for young processors, seed distribution programs for improved varieties, and industry events like the International Cassava Festival in Douala, all aimed at enhancing local value addition and reducing import reliance.

Production cassava starch in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked 14th globally in cassava starch production.

Top producers of cassava starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cameroon produced 8 963 tons of cassava starch, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 20.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.0%.

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

Exports cassava starch from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at 137 tons and the highest in 2020 at 1 016 tons, representing a 7.4-fold difference. In 2020, cassava starch shipments from Cameroon abroad amounted to 1 016 tons, marking a substantial increase of 153.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 23.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 193.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon (36.3% of exports in kind), Belgium (24.9% of exports in kind), and the United States (16.3% of exports in kind) led the structure of exports in kind, together accounting for 77.4% of total 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

The market exhibited notable volatility during this period. Export volumes varied widely, with the lowest value in 2018 at 53.1 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2020 at 545.2 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.3-fold difference. In 2020, cassava starch volumes leaving Cameroon totaled 545.2 thousand US dollars, indicating a year-over-year rise of 217.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 4.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 222.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Gabon, Canada, and the United States—dominated exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 81.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cassava starch to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports peaked in 2019 at 1 ton and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 tons, showing a dramatic 25-fold difference. In 2020, foreign cassava starch supplies to Cameroon totaled 0.0 tons, reflecting a sharp decline of 96.0% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 982.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India consistently accounted for 71.1% of total imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2020, with a 5.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Cameroon's cassava starch imports amounted to 0.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic decrease of 80.1% from the year before. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 26.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and France served as the dominant destinations for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.0% of total flows, with the remaining share allocated to other markets.

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

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