Tea market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The Cameroonian tea market expanded steadily from 23,208 tonnes in 2018 to 24,385 tonnes in 2023. This growth was initially supported by the privatization of the state-owned Cameroon Development Corporation's tea branch, taken over by Cameroon Tea Estates (CTE) in 2018. CTE's acquisition of CEMAC accreditation facilitated unhindered access to the regional common market, strengthening the foundation for local production and trade.

A notable acceleration in market growth occurred in 2021, with volume increasing by over 500 tonnes. This surge was driven by a rise in local tea consumption within Cameroon, as consumer demand diversified beyond traditional northern regions, integrating more of the national population. Concurrently, global and African demand for tea, particularly specialty and health-oriented varieties, provided an external tailwind for the sector.

Government emphasis on the tea sector following the privatization continued to support the market in 2022, with CEMAC access remaining a key asset. However, growth slowed markedly in 2023 as the market stabilized near 24,385 tonnes. This coincided with a significant increase in exports, which reached 246 tonnes, while imports dwindled to just 30 tonnes, indicating a shift towards a more production and export-oriented industry structure amid ongoing competition from imported teas, especially from China.

Production tea in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon ranked 25th globally in tea production.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Cameroon's tea production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 23 418 tonnes of tea, marking a 0.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

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

Exports tea from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

Tea exports from Cameroon declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports fell to 0.3 tonnes, a 76.0% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 97.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -70.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Benin and Senegal were the dominant export partners for Cameroon's tea in volume terms. Benin accounted for 55.2% of total flows, while Senegal made up 28.8%, together representing 83.9% of all exports. Other countries accounted for the remaining volume.

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 tea export market in Cameroon showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Exports peaked in 2018 at 20 000 US dollars and hit their lowest point in 2020 at 1 000 US dollars, a 29-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of tea exports was 77.2% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 84.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 48.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal, Benin, and Congo were the leading destinations for Cameroon's tea exports in value terms. Senegal accounted for 44.4% of export value, Benin for 33.0%, and Congo for 8.8%, together making up 86.2% of total 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 tea to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Cameroon's tea imports increased in 2020. The country imported 224.8 tonnes of tea that year, a 10.8% rise from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -10.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 202.9 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 32.8%.

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

The market for tea imports into Cameroon was diverse from 2017 to 2020. The United Arab Emirates, China, and France were the top sources, accounting for 14.5%, 13.6%, and 12.9% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented just 41.0% of total flows, with the remaining 59.0% shared among numerous 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

Following a two-year reduction, Cameroon's tea imports in value terms increased in 2020. The country imported tea worth 1 000 US dollars that year, a sharp 54.3% uptick from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, imports decreased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 660 000 US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, and India consistently led as the top sources for Cameroon's tea imports in value terms. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 29.0% of import value, Poland for 17.6%, and India for 16.4%, together making up 63.0% 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