Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Cameroon expanded consistently from 5 511 t in 2018 to 5 778 t in 2021. This growth was supported by the earlier emergence of new local products, such as lemongrass tea under the 'Payim' label, which broadened consumer choice. Reinforced price and quality controls on basic goods in Yaoundé markets during 2020 provided additional stability, fostering a reliable trading environment for packaged tea.

Market volume declined to 5 680 t in 2022 and further to 5 620 t in 2023. This reversal was primarily driven by a sharp contraction in local supply due to security crises in the Northwest and Southwest regions, climate change impacts, and post-pandemic supply chain disruptions. These factors led to rising food prices and reduced availability, causing imports to collapse from 219 t in 2021 to 29 t in 2023.

Concurrently, government measures like the 2022 publication of authorized fertilizers list aimed to regulate agricultural inputs, while a voluntary policy to revive sectors like cocoa and coffee in 2023 signaled broader support for local produce. However, these actions could not counteract the severe supply shocks that defined the market's downturn.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 470 tonnes of this tea, marking a modest year-over-year growth of 1.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 0.0 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1.1 tonnes, representing a 47-fold difference. In 2020, Cameroon's export volume of tea in packings of 3 kg or less reached 0.1 tonnes, corresponding to a dramatic year-over-year decline of 87.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 97.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4 637.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chad and the Central African Republic together accounted for 80.9% of total exports in kind, with the remaining flows thinly spread across other markets.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 000 US dollars and hit their maximum in 2019 at 3 000 US dollars, showing an amplitude of 5.6 times. In 2020, Cameroon's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less stood at 1 000 US dollars, down by 78.5% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 455.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chad and Gabon together accounted for 84.9% of total exports in value terms, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant portion.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Cameroon's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 184.3 tonnes, corresponding to an uptick of 9.2% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 168.8 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon's imports in kind of tea in packings of 3 kg or less relied on a wide range of partner countries. The United Arab Emirates (20.3% of imports in kind), France (16.8%), and India (12.3%) together accounted for 49.3% of total 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 a two-year drop, Cameroon's imports of foreign tea in packings of 3 kg or less increased. In 2020, imports totalled 962 000 US dollars, marking a dramatic uptick of 51.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 635 000 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (31.3% of imports in value terms), Poland (18.5%), and India (17.7%) were the principal sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 67.5% of total flows.

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

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