Sucrose in solid form market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, the Cameroonian sucrose market was characterized by government interventions to ensure product availability and regulate retail prices in response to international cost pressures. The market also saw the entry of a new domestic refined sugar product, Top Sugar, manufactured by OK FOOFS in Douala, which added to local supply options. Despite these stabilizing measures, domestic production began a multi-year decline, falling from 122 thousand tonnes in 2018.

Following a dip in total market volume to 191 thousand tonnes in 2019, consumption recovered and grew steadily through 2022, reaching 217 thousand tonnes. This growth was driven entirely by rising imports, which expanded to compensate for the continuing contraction in local output.

By 2022, increased costs for key agricultural inputs, particularly chemical fertilizers, placed further pressure on sugar production costs, contributing to its decline. This accelerated the shift toward imports, which surged dramatically in 2023, lifting the total market volume to 288 thousand tonnes.

Production sucrose in solid form in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of solid sucrose has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 112.2 thousand tons, which represents a 7.8% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.8%, with an average annual decline of 12.0%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Cameroon

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.1 thousand tons, then surged to a peak of 0.5 thousand tons in 2020, marking an 8.7-fold increase. This 2020 figure represents a dramatic 766.9% rise compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 59.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chad and Congo were the primary destinations for Cameroon's solid sucrose exports, accounting for the majority of shipments. Other markets played a much smaller role during this period.

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 an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. Export values peaked in 2018 at 267 thousand US dollars, then fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 99 thousand US dollars—a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, exports rebounded to 225 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 127.8% increase from the previous year. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019, when values dropped by 62.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chad, Gabon, and Congo were the main destinations for Cameroon's solid sucrose exports in value terms. Chad accounted for 34.0% of exports, Gabon for 28.8%, and Congo for 27.9%. Together, these three countries represented 90.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Cameroon

Imports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of decline, Cameroon's imports of solid sucrose increased in 2020. Imports reached 92.7 thousand tons that year, up 34.6% from 2019. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 68.9 thousand tons, while the largest single-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.6% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Brazil, and Guatemala consistently served as Cameroon's main sources for solid sucrose imports in volume terms. France supplied 40.4% of imports, Brazil 31.2%, and Guatemala 7.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.6% 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

After two years of decline, Cameroon's imports of solid sucrose in value terms increased in 2020. Imports reached 47 834 thousand US dollars that year, marking a 54.7% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 22%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 912 thousand US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 29.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Brazil, and Guatemala were Cameroon's primary suppliers of solid sucrose in value terms. France accounted for 39.1% of imports, Brazil for 30.6%, and Guatemala for 7.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 77.2% of total import value during this period.

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

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