Palm nuts and kernels market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Cameroon's palm nuts and kernels production showed notable volatility. Output began at 2.5 million tonnes in 2018, under pressure from a structural shortage of raw nuts that pushed up local prices. Government support for village plantations through fertilizer subsidies, which cut costs by 25%, aimed to bolster supply. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic reducing activity in the refined oil and soap sector by 40% in 2020, production of nuts and kernels jumped to 3 million tonnes, as major industrial players maintained investments to address the persistent palm oil deficit.

Following the 2020 peak, production retreated to 2.87 million tonnes in 2021. This coincided with a sharp decline in export prices for nuts and kernels, which fell to around $0.07 per kg, reflecting market adjustments. The underlying palm oil supply gap widened to an estimated 160,000 tonnes, sustaining demand for raw materials. In 2022, output stabilized at 2.83 million tonnes. During this period, imports of crude palm oil surged by 43% to 143,000 tonnes, highlighting continued domestic shortfalls, while the entry of four new refiners, including the Société de Raffinage du Cameroun (Sorac), created additional demand for locally sourced nuts and kernels.

Production saw a modest recovery to 2.87 million tonnes in 2023. The government announced a program to support pre-germinated seed production, targeting the regeneration of 5,000 hectares of palm plantations by 2025 to boost long-term output. The structural annual deficit for palm oil remained above 160,000 tonnes, keeping the focus on increasing the supply of nuts and kernels to meet the needs of growing refining capacity and household consumption.

Production palm nuts and kernels in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Cameroon ranked as the 10th largest producer of palm nuts and kernels between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cameroon produced 3 000 thousand metric tons of palm nuts and kernels, marking a 25.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 4.0%.

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

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Cameroon

Exports in kind, kg

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

From 2017 to 2020, China served as the primary destination for Cameroon's palm nuts and kernels exports, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the main market for Cameroon's palm nuts and kernels exports, consistently representing 100.0% 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 palm nuts and kernels to Cameroon

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Cameroon's imports of foreign palm nuts and kernels totaled 973 kilograms, showing a modest increase of 4.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 6.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 935 kilograms, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 070 kilograms. The most substantial drop was in 2019, with a 12.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia remained the leading source of palm nuts and kernels for Cameroon, accounting for 82.9% of total imports in volume, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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 imports of palm nuts and kernels in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 118.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 16.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 59.3%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 25.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 413.8 thousand US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 65.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 42.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import pattern in value terms showed a strong reliance on Indonesia, which accounted for 96.4% 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