Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

Cameroon's market for unmanufactured tobacco and refuse opened at 6 088 t in 2018. That year saw the introduction of Law No. 2017/011 and Decree No. 2018/355, which reformed governance and public procurement rules for state-owned enterprises, potentially influencing tobacco sector operations. In 2019, market volume fell to 5 715 t, while a waste management contract for SONARA's refinery and residential areas was awarded to HIVOCAM Ltd, marking greater private sector participation in related services.

Market volume rebounded to 6 149 t in 2020 and continued growing to 6 302 t in 2021, reflecting steady domestic consumption.

The market then hovered around 6 000 t, dipping slightly to 6 150 t in 2022 before edging up to 6 213 t in 2023, indicating overall stability in demand for unmanufactured tobacco and its by-products.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

In Cameroon, 6 469 tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse were produced in 2020, representing a slight increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 509 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 3.5% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 2.4%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Cameroon's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined in 2020. Exports fell to 331.4 tonnes, marking a sharp reduction of 48.2% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 639.5 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 51.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium and the United States consistently dominated Cameroon's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, together accounting for 83.8% of total export volumes. This high concentration highlights a market structure with a few major players and a long tail of smaller destinations.

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 export market for unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Cameroon showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold variation between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 010 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable decrease of 11.6% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 275 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 74.6% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua, Belgium, and the United States were the primary markets for Cameroon's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms. Nicaragua accounted for 41.8% of export value, Belgium for 30.3%, and the United States for 21.3%. Together, these three countries represented 93.4% 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 unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Cameroon's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 0.1 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 11.2 tonnes, representing a 112-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 11 100.0% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 96.0%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Switzerland was the main source of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse imports to Cameroon, accounting for 78.5% of total import volumes. The remaining imports were distributed among a variety of 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

Import values for unmanufactured tobacco and refuse into Cameroon showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 1 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 26 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 34-fold variation. In 2020, import value increased by 2 657.5% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline of 40.8% was observed in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland dominated Cameroon's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms, absorbing 89.6% of total import flows. The import structure was characterized by this strong predominance of Switzerland, alongside a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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