Dried shelled beans market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled beans in Cameroon contracted from 661.9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 606.6 thousand tonnes in 2020. Unfavorable climate conditions in the Far North region slowed white bean production in 2018, reducing yields and contributing to the initial decline. Alongside, the Cameroon Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD) sustained efforts in selecting disease-resistant seeds, supporting longer-term crop productivity and quality.

A recovery phase began in 2021, with market volume rising steadily to reach 665.9 thousand tonnes by 2023. This rebound restored the market close to its 2018 level, reflecting a return to fuller production capacity after the earlier climate-related challenges.

In 2024, a dry season triggered price increases for red beans in markets including Yaoundé, though ongoing harvests later moderated costs. Concurrently, the digitalization of public procurement procedures in Cameroon began influencing agricultural product distribution, while the National Institute of Statistics (INS) provided regular consumer price monitoring, adding regulatory transparency to the market.

Production dried shelled beans in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon ranked 14th globally in the production of dried shelled beans.

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of dried shelled beans declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 607.9 thousand tonnes, which was 3.1% lower than in 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 666.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.9%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports fluctuated widely, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 8.6 times between 2017 and 2019. In 2020, Cameroon exported 1 863 tonnes of dried shelled beans, a sharp increase of 219.9% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 582 tonnes, which represented an 88.3% decline from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Central African Republic, Congo, and Chad were consistently the main destinations for Cameroon's dried shelled bean exports in volume terms. The Central African Republic accounted for 38.6% of exports, Congo for 35.7%, and Chad for 18.8%. Together, these three countries made up 93.1% 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

Market behavior was highly volatile during these years. Export values fluctuated 9.1 times between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, the value of dried shelled beans exported from Cameroon reached 787 thousand US dollars, a significant increase of 56.2% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 504 thousand US dollars, which was an 89.0% decline from the previous year. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 4 567 thousand US dollars, representing a 76.6% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Congo remained the principal buyers of Cameroon's dried shelled beans in value terms. The Central African Republic accounted for 51.4% of export value, Chad for 26.0%, and Congo for 17.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 94.7% 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 dried shelled beans to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon imported 521 tonnes of dried shelled beans, a decrease of 43.1% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 166 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 916 tonnes, which marked a 450.7% increase from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source of imports in volume terms, accounting for 89.2% of total flows. Other markets together made up the remaining share.

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. The highest import value was observed in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.4 times. In 2020, the value of imported dried shelled beans in Cameroon amounted to 661 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 736 thousand US dollars, which was a 93.6% increase from the year before.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Cameroon's imports in value terms, accounting for 70.7% of total flows. Other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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

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