Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Cameroon was shaped by a persistent structural deficit in domestic production. In 2018, local supply failed to meet industrial demand, necessitating imports and keeping the market volume at 28 812 tons. The following year, volume jumped to 33 659 tons as import levels rose to bridge the shortfall. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced economic activity by 40%, leading to a contraction in market volume to 32 064 tons despite operators' plans to import crude palm oil for refineries.

After a modest recovery to 32 825 tons in 2021, the market entered a phase of stronger growth. Palm oil production reached approximately 400 000 tons in 2022, contributing to a market volume of 34 055 tons. The upward trend accelerated in 2023, with volume surging to 38 233 tons. This growth coincided with the announcement of four new palm oil refineries and the establishment of the interprofessional organization INTERPALM-CAM, both aimed at boosting local capacity and reducing import dependency.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Cameroon ranked as the 18th largest producer of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions saw a two-year improvement before declining. In 2019, output peaked at 33 162 tonnes, but by 2020, it had dropped to 32 043 tonnes, marking a 3.4% decrease from the previous year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 4.1% increase.

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

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Cameroon showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 3 tonnes, but they surged to 4 160 tonnes in 2018, representing a massive 1485-fold difference. By 2020, exports rebounded to 21 tonnes, a dramatic 655.4% increase from 2019. The sharpest decline was in 2019, at 99.9%, while the largest growth occurred in 2018, with an extraordinary 34 480.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated Cameroon's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in volume, accounting for 99.1% of the 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 export market in value terms was highly unstable. In 2019, exports fell to their lowest level at 1 000 US dollars, but they peaked in 2018 at 3 242 000 US dollars, a staggering 2599-fold gap. By 2020, exports recovered to 20 000 US dollars, showing a remarkable 1 485.0% improvement from 2019. The steepest drop was in 2019, at 100.0%, while the most significant surge was in 2018, with a 19 643.6% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market in value was heavily concentrated, with the Netherlands responsible for 98.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Cameroon were highly volatile. In 2017, imports were at their lowest at 42 tonnes, but they soared to 500 tonnes in 2019, a 201-fold difference. By 2020, imports dropped to 42 tonnes, a sharp 91.5% decline from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 5 186.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon accounted for nearly all of Cameroon's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in volume, with a 96.3% share of total 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

The import market in value terms exhibited significant instability. In 2017, imports were at their minimum of 37 000 US dollars, but they rose to 444 000 US dollars in 2019, a 138-fold variation. By 2020, imports decreased to 37 000 US dollars, a sharp 91.6% drop from 2019. The most notable growth occurred in 2019, with a 1 407.7% increase.

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

During 2017–2020, Gabon effectively monopolised Cameroon's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in value, capturing 90.3% of total flows.

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

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