Palm oil and fractions market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Cameroon's palm oil market faced a structural production deficit, leading the government to authorize crude palm oil imports of 100 000 tonnes in 2018 and 2019, and 70 000 tonnes in 2020 to meet domestic demand. Local production, shared among Socfin group subsidiaries, state-owned companies, and village holdings, fluctuated during this period, with a drop to 336.5 thousand tonnes in 2019 followed by a recovery to 373.5 thousand tonnes in 2020. The national sustainable development strategy aimed at raising yield per hectare from 2 to up to 7 tonnes per year began to lay groundwork for longer-term growth.

The market saw increased industrial demand from 2021 onward, highlighted by Novia's launch of a 500-tonne per day refining unit in Douala, which spurred higher imports of crude oil to 78.2 thousand tonnes in 2021. In 2022, three modern extraction plants with a nominal capacity of 6 tonnes per hour were commissioned, contributing to a production rebound to 330 thousand tonnes. Government-authorized imports rose to 143 000 tonnes that year to fill the persistent gap, pushing total market volume to 437 thousand tonnes.

In 2023, socio-political crisis in the Anglophone regions led to abandoned plantations and higher production costs, pulling production down to 320 thousand tonnes. Nevertheless, market size expanded to 454.5 thousand tonnes as imports surged to 136.2 thousand tonnes. The creation of the interprofessional body Interpalm-Cam and announcements of four new refineries aimed to strengthen local production, while new regulations banned bulk sales and enforced vitamin A enrichment standards to improve product quality.

Production palm oil and fractions in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Cameroon ranked as the 14th largest producer of palm oil and fractions during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of palm oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of palm oil and fractions increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 373.5 thousand tons, marking an 11.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 336.5 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 4.5% occurring that same year.

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

Exports palm oil and fractions from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year upward trend, Cameroon's exports of palm oil and fractions declined. In 2020, exports totaled 1 241 tons, representing a 24.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak export volume was reached in 2019 at 1 643 tons, while the largest increase of 35.0% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Congo were the primary destinations for Cameroon's palm oil and fractions exports in volume terms. Gabon accounted for 61.3% of exports, followed by the Central African Republic at 11.0% and Congo at 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export 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

After two years of growth, Cameroon's palm oil and fractions exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 133 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 54.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 30.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 2 513 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 36.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Gabon and the Central African Republic were the main destinations for Cameroon's palm oil and fractions exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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 oil and fractions to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon's imports of palm oil and fractions in volume terms increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, imports stood at 56 829 tons, showing a 6.2% rise compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 53 516 tons, with the largest decline of 6.1% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Gabon, and Liberia dominated Cameroon's palm oil and fractions imports in volume terms. Malaysia contributed 39.6% of imports, Gabon 34.5%, and Liberia 16.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 90.6% of total import flows.

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 oil and fractions in value terms increased after a two-year decrease. In 2020, imports totaled 42 067 thousand US dollars, up by 11.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 20.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 37 595 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 17.1% occurring in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Malaysia, Gabon, and Liberia played leading roles in Cameroon's palm oil and fractions imports in value terms. Malaysia accounted for 42.7% of imports, Gabon for 29.9%, and Liberia for 15.5%. Together, these three countries represented 88.1% 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