Leguminous vegetables market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Cameroon showed considerable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. Market size expanded from 2 669 t in 2018 to 6 162 t in 2020, largely due to a rise in imports, which reached 2 005 t in 2020. After 2020, imports fell dramatically to just 2 t in 2021 and zero by 2023, reducing the market size to 4 103 t in 2023.

Domestic production remained steady, ranging between 4 200 t and 4 474 t. This stability was underpinned by government measures such as subsidies for local producers and support for cooperative organization. State-owned company PROLEG, involved in production and export, contributed to market activity. The entry of new local producers in urban areas during 2021 contributed to a production increase that year.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected supply chains, prompting a shift towards shorter distribution channels and greater focus on local produce. In subsequent years, campaigns like "Made in Cameroon" and agricultural fairs helped stabilize the market, with consumption increasingly dependent on domestic production by 2023.

Production leguminous vegetables in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of leguminous vegetables increased after a two-year contraction. In 2020, production reached 4 209 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 198 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 0.6%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a 276-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon exported 52 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, representing a sharp decrease of 95.9% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 536 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 27 465.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France effectively monopolized Cameroon's leguminous vegetable exports in kind, accounting for 96.6% of total 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 93 times. In 2020, Cameroon exported leguminous vegetables worth 23.7 thousand US dollars, marking a steep decrease of 95.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 620.2 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 9 187.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with France alone responsible for 96.4% 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 leguminous vegetables to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 452 times. In 2020, Cameroon imported 2 005 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, representing a steep increase of 85.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 tonnes, with the largest decline that year reaching 69.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 24 272.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine remained the main market for Cameroon's leguminous vegetable imports in kind, with a share of 72.4% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values declined to their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 86 times. In 2020, Cameroon imported leguminous vegetables worth 903.5 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a gain of 68.7% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10.5 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year reaching 74.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5 024.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and the United States remained the main markets for Cameroon's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.4% of total flows, while other partners formed 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