Market research

Starches market in Cameroon

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Cameroonian starch market expanded from 9 904 tonnes in 2018 to 11 992 tonnes in 2020, driven by policy measures and retail modernization. Starting in August 2017, Cameroon phased out tariffs on EU-origin inputs like starch, lowering costs for local manufacturers. This was reinforced by a strategic focus on agro-industrial transformation, aiming to boost domestic starch production from cassava. Simultaneously, the arrival of Carrefour in Douala in 2017, facilitated by a 2013 investment law, accelerated the growth of organized retail, improving product distribution.

After peaking in 2020, market volume dipped to 11 677 tonnes in 2021 and further to 9 849 tonnes in 2022. During this period, the government extended tariff elimination to a third category of goods in January 2021, and rising global cereal prices in 2022 introduced cost pressures. The expansion of supermarkets continued to reshape the retail landscape. The market rebounded strongly in 2023, reaching 12 706 tonnes.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Cameroon
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Cameroon in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cameroon, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cameroon in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cameroon, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cameroon, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cameroon in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cameroon, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cameroon by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production starches in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Cameroon produced 8 963 tonnes of starches, representing a significant increase of 20.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The most stable year was 2019, with no change in production levels.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.7%	0.0%	20.4%	8.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports starches from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 159 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1 020 tonnes in 2020, creating a 6.4-fold difference between these two years. This 2020 figure was 150.4% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 10.9%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, at 156.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.9%)	156.9%	150.4%	78.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon, Belgium, and the United States were the main destinations for Cameroon's starch exports by volume. Gabon accounted for 36.9% of exports, Belgium for 24.8%, and the United States for 16.1%. Together, these three countries absorbed 77.8% of total starch exports from Cameroon.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Cameroon in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Cameroon's starch exports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 546 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 218.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 879.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 114.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	199.1%	218.1%	114.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Gabon, Canada, and the United States were the key destinations for Cameroon's starch exports by value. Gabon represented 49.9% of exports, Canada 15.9%, and the United States 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 81.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Cameroon in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports starches to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon's starch imports by volume have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 048 tonnes, showing an improvement of 14.9% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 99%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 25.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.7%	34.5%	14.9%	25.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands were the principal suppliers of starches to Cameroon by volume. Turkey supplied 63.2% of imports, Spain 16.1%, and the Netherlands 6.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.4% of total starch imports into Cameroon.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Cameroon's starch imports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 1 989 thousand US dollars, amounting to a modest gain of 6.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 112.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	48.2%	34.2%	6.7%	28.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands formed the core of Cameroon's starch imports by value. Turkey accounted for 62.6% of imports, Spain for 14.3%, and the Netherlands for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 82.8% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io