Milk and cream market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The milk and cream market in Cameroon saw a significant contraction from 2018 to 2020, with production dropping from 342.9 thousand tons to 265.3 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by the chronically low productivity of local dairy cows, yielding only 2-3 liters per day, and further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to the agri-food sector in 2020.

Production rebounded to 298.3 thousand tons in 2021 following a state-led initiative to import Montbéliard heifers between 2021 and 2023, directly boosting raw milk supply. However, rising inflation, which reached 6.5% in 2022, increased production costs and contributed to a subsequent dip in output. The market stabilized around 283 thousand tons in 2023 amid ongoing efforts to improve local dairy farming and the reinforcement of food quality standards by the Standards and Quality Agency (ANOR).

Regulatory frameworks established earlier, notably the 2018 Framework Law on Food Safety, imposed stricter sanitary controls on dairy products throughout the period. Furthermore, the market has long been characterized by substantial imports from major players like Nestlé Cameroon, highlighting a structural reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic demand.

Production milk and cream in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Cameroon's milk and cream production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 265.3 thousand tons, down 6.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 342.9 thousand tons, which represented a 10.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 16.9%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1 ton, before recovering to 2 tons in 2020, representing a 161.4% increase from the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 5.4-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 61.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon's milk and cream exports showed complete dependence on a single market. The Central African Republic accounted for 100.0% of all exports in volume terms throughout this period.

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

Export values displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, while the highest came in 2020 at 3 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 1,186.4% year-over-year increase. The difference between these peak and trough years was 12.9 times. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when export values fell by 66.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Central African Republic was overwhelmingly the main destination for Cameroon's milk and cream exports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total export 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 milk and cream to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon imported 2,840 tons of milk and cream in 2020, representing a 28.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,216 tons, when imports declined by 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Cameroon's milk and cream imports in volume terms, accounting for 83.9% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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 milk and cream imports reached 3,148 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a substantial 27.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2,476 thousand US dollars, when imports declined by 13.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France was clearly the primary source for Cameroon's milk and cream imports in value terms, accounting for 87.3% of total import flows. Other markets represented smaller shares in the import structure.

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

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