Hazelnuts market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The hazelnut market in Cameroon expanded from 159.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 166.7 thousand tons in 2022, a growth supported by the launch of the government's Industrialization Master Plan and investment incentives that same year. These policies, including tax and customs facilities for modernizing production equipment, aimed to strengthen the national industrial base and stimulated activity in the agri-food sector. Concurrently, the 2018 food safety framework law, which introduced a mandatory Authorization for Consumption for food products, enhanced regulatory oversight and consumer confidence, contributing to the market's upward trajectory.

Market growth slowed in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and industrial activity, with volume rising only slightly to 164.1 thousand tons. The subsequent recovery to 166.0 thousand tons in 2021 was aided by stable demand and the continued enforcement of food safety standards, alongside efforts by the Standards and Quality Agency to strengthen national quality norms for agri-food products.

The emergence of new local SMEs in food processing helped sustain a modest market increase to 166.7 thousand tons in 2022. In 2023, despite ongoing public efforts to modernize industrial infrastructure and adopt new agri-food standards, the market volume contracted to 164.6 thousand tons.

Production hazelnuts in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked 26th globally in hazelnut production.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2017-2020

Cameroon's hazelnut production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 163.5 tons of hazelnuts, marking a slight increase of 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports hazelnuts from Cameroon

Exports in kind, kg

Cameroon's hazelnut exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 420 kilograms, showing a significant drop of 10.6% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, exports fell by 72%, with a compound annual growth rate of -34.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon and the United States were the primary markets for Cameroon's hazelnut exports, together accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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 market showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon's hazelnut exports were valued at 186 US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 78.2% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 853 US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year at 1 794.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon and the United States continued to be the main markets for Cameroon's hazelnut exports in value terms, together making up 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to Cameroon

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes fluctuated significantly over the timeframe. They hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.5-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Cameroon imported 1 050 kilograms of hazelnuts, indicating a substantial decrease of 40.1% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 753 kilograms, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 288.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Cameroon's hazelnut imports in volume, holding a 71.0% share of total flows, with other partners accounting for the rest.

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

Import values were highly unstable during this period. They were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 5.7-fold difference. In 2020, Cameroon's hazelnut imports were valued at 3 176 US dollars, reflecting a dramatic drop of 54.2% year-over-year. The peak value was in 2019 at 6 935 US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 168.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the leading supplier of hazelnuts to Cameroon in value terms, capturing 76.9% of total imports, while a diverse group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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