Chestnuts market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The Cameroonian chestnut market displayed gradual growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 142.0 t to 142.9 t. This period was shaped by key regulatory changes, including the adoption of the Public Procurement Code (Decree No. 2018/366) in June 2018 and subsequent laws on public financial transparency and governance. These reforms streamlined state purchasing procedures, potentially enhancing market access for agricultural products. In 2019, a credit agreement with the International Development Association supported agricultural infrastructure projects. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted government support measures for economic actors, while the rollout of agricultural market information systems improved data availability for decision-making.

A significant expansion occurred in 2021, as market volume jumped to 146.5 t, a 2.5% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily driven by the continuation of government initiatives to revive agricultural and commercial activities in the pandemic's aftermath, facilitating higher production and consumption. The focused recovery efforts helped offset earlier disruptions, leading to a peak in output.

Market volume adjusted to 143.8 t in 2022, a 1.8% decline, before a slight recovery to 144.3 t in 2023. During this phase, broader trends such as rising internet penetration, the economic stimulus from the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and the expansion of modern retail networks influenced the commercial landscape. In 2023, the Finance Law for 2024 and related circulars reinforced the public procurement framework, impacting budgetary flows to the agricultural sector and supporting market stabilization.

Production chestnuts in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon ranked 21st globally in chestnut production.

Top producers of chestnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of chestnuts, 2017-2020

Cameroon's chestnut production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 142.6 tons of chestnuts, showing minimal change compared to the previous year.

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

Exports chestnuts from Cameroon

Market data shows that Cameroon did not export any chestnuts between 2017 and 2020.

Imports chestnuts to Cameroon

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable pattern during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019, then peaked in 2018 at 346.0 kg, creating a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 312.7 kg, marking a sharp increase of 90.7% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 52.6%, while the biggest rise was in 2018 at 150.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Cameroon's chestnut imports by volume, consistently making up 91.9% of the total.

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, $ US

Cameroon's chestnut imports by value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 233.7 US dollars, down 28.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 39.4%, averaging an annual decline of 15.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 561.0 US dollars. The largest decrease happened in 2019 at 41.7%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 45.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France was the primary source for Cameroon's chestnut imports by value, accounting for 88.3% of the total, with the rest spread among smaller markets.

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

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