Milk market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The Cameroonian milk market contracted from 360 thousand tons in 2018 to 286 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was rooted in structural weaknesses in domestic production, where traditional farming with low-yielding local breeds limited output. The market was also impacted by the 2018 recall of contaminated dairy products from Lactalis following a salmonella scare, which affected product availability and consumer confidence.

A rebound to 317 thousand tons occurred in 2021, driven by a state initiative to import nearly 500 Montbéliard heifers between 2021 and 2023 to improve the national herd's milk yield. Market volume then stabilized around 300 thousand tons in 2022-2023, supported by government and EU funding through the Agricultural Productivity Improvement Program (PAPA), which provided financial resources and equipment like milking machines and milk tanks to farmers in the Adamaoua, North, and Far North regions.

Regulatory developments continued to shape the sector, including the enforcement of the 2018 food safety law requiring a triennial marketing authorization and the homologation of new quality standards by ANOR. Customs and fiscal measures in the 2025 finance law introduced restrictions on imports of goods similar to local products, potentially affecting powdered milk inflows. Meanwhile, major players like Nestlé Cameroon remained active importers and distributors amidst persistent domestic supply shortfalls and rising consumer prices influencing demand.

Production milk in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Cameroon's milk production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 265.3 thousand tons of milk, representing a modest year-on-year decrease of 6.9%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 342.9 thousand tons, marking an increase of 10.0% that year. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 16.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cameroon's milk production has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 705 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.9% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 2 317 million US dollars, which saw a significant increase of 22.8%. Conversely, the sharpest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

Cameroon's milk export volumes have fallen for the second year running. In 2020, exports stood at 561 tons, down 6.0% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14%, averaging an annual decline of 4.9%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 658 tons, which saw a slight increase of 0.9%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Gabon and the Central African Republic were the dominant partners in Cameroon's milk exports by volume, with other countries 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

Cameroon's milk exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value was recorded at 3 606 thousand US dollars, showing a limited year-on-year decrease of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 4 447 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 12.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea were the key partners for Cameroon's milk exports by value. Gabon accounted for 56.7% of exports, the Central African Republic for 21.5%, and Equatorial Guinea for 19.3%, together representing 97.6% 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 to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon's milk imports surged in 2020, reaching 21 400 tons, which represents a substantial increase of 46.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 36%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 14 547 tons, marking a decline of 19.8% that year.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, France, and New Zealand were the main sources for Cameroon's milk imports by volume. The Netherlands contributed 22.6%, France 16.7%, and New Zealand 16.4%, together accounting for 55.6% of total imports.

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 imports saw a sharp rise in 2020, valued at approximately 61 974 thousand US dollars, up 45.7% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 49.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 17.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and France were the primary sources in the geographical breakdown of Cameroon's milk imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 28.9%, New Zealand for 19.8%, and France for 9.8%, collectively making up 58.5% of total import flows.

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

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