Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Cameroon held steady at 4 800 t per year. Market volume fluctuated slightly between 4 835 t and 4 924 t, influenced by varying import and export levels. During this period, the cashew sector became a focus for development: Cameroon joined the International Cashew Consultative Council in 2018, and around 5 million cashew seedlings were distributed to farmers by 2020 to boost future output.

Imports fell from 145 t in 2019 to 43 t in 2022, then recovered to 89 t in 2023 as global cashew demand rebounded and prices rose from March 2022 onward. Exports peaked at 97 t in 2019 but later declined, coinciding with sector structuring efforts and adherence to the official farm-gate price of 400 CFA francs per kilogram set in African production zones.

A revised national cashew strategy for 2024–2030 was adopted in 2023, targeting 50 000 t of nut production and enhanced local processing. The same year saw phytosanitary regulations tighten with the withdrawal of certain product approvals, while the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation began shaping export due‑diligence requirements.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cameroon produced 4,800 tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, maintaining the same level as the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 27-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon exported 3.7 tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, representing a 96.2% decrease from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 97.4 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 447.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Vietnam, and Algeria were the main buyers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Cameroon. India accounted for 40.1% of exports in kind, Vietnam for 37.7%, and Algeria for 15.3%, together forming 93.1% of total exports in kind.

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, $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2020 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, with an 86-fold shift. In 2020, Cameroon exported $739 worth of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, down by 98.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 93.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Vietnam jointly absorbed 91.4% of the total export value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Cameroon, with the remaining volume distributed across smaller 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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Cameroon imported 127.6 tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, marking a 12.1% decline relative to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 22.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, and Gabon were the primary suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Cameroon. Nigeria accounted for 49.4% of imports in kind, Sao Tome and Principe for 22.5%, and Gabon for 10.6%, jointly accounting for 82.5% 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, $ US

Cameroon's import value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered $55,425, showing a rise of 51.0% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 99.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Nigeria, France, and India remained the key sources for imports in value terms. Nigeria accounted for 32.8% of imports in value terms, France for 25.6%, and India for 22.2%, together taking 80.6% 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