Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Cameroonian coffee market experienced significant volatility. After maintaining volumes around 22 000 t in 2018 and 2019, the market contracted sharply to 15 161 t in 2020. During this period, the government continued its efforts to structure small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness, with the cocoa-coffee sector as a priority, and emphasized a national strategy for local processing of agricultural products.

Market volume recovered to 18 205 t in 2021, partly due to a reduction in exports, which fell from 21 352 t in 2020 to 14 364 t, freeing more coffee for domestic use. Global coffee prices rose that year driven by a negative biennial cycle in Brazil and unfavorable weather. In 2022, volume reached 21 898 t, supported by active campaigns to boost local consumption, including the revival of monthly coffee tasting days in multiple cities, installation of coffee kiosks in government offices and airports, and a rise in the number of local roasters to about thirty businesses. Fiscal policy also encouraged local processing by increasing the relevant rate from 35% to 50%.

In 2023, market volume declined to 18 172 t, coinciding with a drop in production as input costs rose for growers. Nonetheless, the sector saw continued development with the launch of new local coffee brands and expansion into export markets such as the UK, Japan, France, and the US. For 2024, the industry aimed to increase production by 45% to 16 000 t, backed by major investments in road infrastructure to improve supply chain efficiency.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Cameroon ranked as the 26th largest producer of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production in Cameroon fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 36 360 tonnes, marking an 11.1% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 13.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 46 956 thousand US dollars, a sharp 16.5% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 22.3%, with an annualized decline of 8.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 750 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 23.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Cameroon's exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 21 352 tonnes, a 17.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 25.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 9.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 18 213 tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 33.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Algeria, and France were the main destinations for Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports by volume. Belgium accounted for 21.8% of exports, Algeria for 18.1%, and France for 15.1%, together making up 55.0% 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

Following a two-year downturn, Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes export value rose. In 2020, exports reached 27 575 thousand US dollars, a robust 10.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 33.2%, with an annualized decline of 12.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 043 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Algeria were the top three markets for Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports by value, collectively accounting for 50.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2018, imports hit a low of 53 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 4.5%. By 2020, imports surged to 153 tonnes, a 162.3% increase from the previous year, marking the highest point and a 2.9-fold difference from the 2018 low.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Nigeria, and Italy were the primary suppliers of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to Cameroon by volume. France contributed 35.6% of imports, Nigeria 22.5%, and Italy 8.8%, together representing 66.9% of total import volume.

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

Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes import value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 206 thousand US dollars, a sharp 38.6% gain compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 66.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 18.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 102 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 17.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 45.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Italy, and Switzerland led Cameroon's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes imports by value. France accounted for 47.3% of import value, Italy for 16.7%, and Switzerland for 7.6%, together making up 71.6% of total import flows.

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

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