Dried shelled legumes market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Cameroon contracted from 1,336 thousand tons in 2018 to 1,225 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was driven by security crises in the Northwest and Southwest regions, which reduced agricultural production, alongside supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic that further constrained supply.

From 2021, the market recovered, reaching 1,346 thousand tons by 2023. Growing domestic demand for local agro-food products, encouraged by government policies, supported this rebound. The 2022 launch of the Agricultural Production Support Program in Cameroon (PARPAC), aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and introducing digital traceability, directly improved productivity and market volume.

The market's expansion was further reinforced in 2023 through innovation in the agri-food sector and the implementation of new food quality standards by the Standards and Quality Agency (ANOR), which enhanced product safety and stimulated production.

Production dried shelled legumes in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked as the 25th largest producer of dried shelled legumes globally.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Cameroon's production of dried shelled legumes fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 223.4 thousand tonnes, down 3.0% from 2019. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.9% decrease, while the biggest gain was in 2018, when production rose 7.7% to a peak of 1 341.1 thousand tonnes.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Cameroon exported 5 278 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, a 22.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports grew by 5.4%, averaging 1.8% per year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 4 328 tonnes, with a 39.5% decline that year. In contrast, exports peaked in 2018 at 7 158 tonnes, surging 43.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon's exports of dried shelled legumes were primarily directed to Congo and the Central African Republic, which together accounted for 84.6% of total shipments, with other destinations making up the remainder.

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 for dried shelled legumes from Cameroon experienced fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, exports were valued at 2 057 thousand US dollars, up 11.3% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 847 thousand US dollars, marking a 65.0% drop. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 5 270 thousand US dollars, with a 103.7% increase that year, resulting in a 2.9-fold variation between the peak and trough.

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

During 2017–2020, Congo, the Central African Republic, and Chad were the top destinations for Cameroon's dried shelled legume exports by value. Congo accounted for 38.9%, the Central African Republic for 38.1%, and Chad for 19.1%, together making up 96.0% 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 legumes to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon's imports of dried shelled legumes showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 7 210 tonnes, rising 16.3% from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 2 057 tonnes, with a 73.2% decrease that year. Imports saw their largest jump in 2019, increasing 201.3%, leading to a 3.7-fold variation between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Ukraine, and Antigua and Barbuda were the main suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Cameroon by volume. The United States provided 48.3% of imports, Ukraine 19.8%, and Antigua and Barbuda 14.0%, together constituting 82.1% 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

The import market for dried shelled legumes in Cameroon was volatile between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, imports were valued at 4 400 thousand US dollars, up 30.2% year-on-year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 527 thousand US dollars, with a 66.1% decline that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising 121.4%, resulting in a 2.9-fold variation between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Ukraine, and Antigua and Barbuda were the leading suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Cameroon by value. The United States accounted for 56.7% of import value, Ukraine for 12.7%, and Antigua and Barbuda for 11.2%, together representing 80.6% of total import value.

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

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