Sorghum market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The sorghum market in Cameroon expanded in 2019, with production rising to 1 279 thousand tons, supported by the national development strategy (SND30) which aimed to increase agricultural output for food self-sufficiency and supply to domestic agro-industries. However, production fell sharply in 2020 to 1 061 thousand tons, reducing market volume to 1 053 thousand tons.

Production recovered to 1 200 thousand tons in 2021, and the market size reached 1 204 thousand tons. The market then stabilized around 1 200 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023, as government measures such as the FAO/WAM-supported food security program and the PARPAC fertilizer subsidy program, offering a 30% purchase subsidy, helped maintain production levels despite reported fertilizer shortages that affected harvest quality.

In 2023, monitoring data showed a continuous increase in grain prices in the northern regions, which influenced consumption patterns for sorghum. For 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture renewed its call for fertilizer suppliers under the PARPAC program, targeting 84 080 tons of fertilizers for key crops including sorghum.

Production sorghum in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked as the 13th largest producer of sorghum worldwide.

Top producers of sorghum, 2017-2020

World map of production of sorghum, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, sorghum production in Cameroon experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 1 061 thousand tonnes of sorghum, marking a 17.0% year-on-year contraction. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 1 279 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with an 8.7% rise.

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

Exports sorghum from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Cameroon exported 7 660 tonnes of sorghum, representing a 263.0% increase compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 514 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with an 83.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 1 454.9% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chad and the Central African Republic dominated Cameroon's sorghum exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% 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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2018, with a 16-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Cameroon exported sorghum worth 1 982 thousand US dollars, which is 125.4% higher than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 531 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 84.1% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 1 491.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon's sorghum exports in value terms were heavily concentrated, with Chad and the Central African Republic jointly capturing 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 sorghum to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes in kind varied dramatically, falling from a high in 2017 to a low in 2020, with a difference of 993 060 times between these years. In 2020, Cameroon's cross-border shipments of sorghum totalled 0.0 tonnes, indicating a 100.0% decline compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 19.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently represented 74.8% of Cameroon's total sorghum imports in kind, highlighting a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was 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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes in value terms peaked in 2017 and bottomed out in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 250 438 times. In 2020, Cameroon's sorghum import volume amounted to 0.0 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a sharp 100.0% loss compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 2.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States consistently accounted for 80.4% of Cameroon's total sorghum imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the rest shared among other countries.

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

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