Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Cameroon expanded from 441 thousand tons in 2018 to over 600 thousand tons by 2023, marking a substantial increase over the period. This growth was not linear, with the market volume peaking at nearly 670 thousand tons in 2021 before moderating in subsequent years.

Domestic production played a key role in shaping market volumes, rising sharply from 441 thousand tons in 2018 to 692 thousand tons in 2021. Although production dipped slightly after 2021, it remained above 615 thousand tons, supporting overall market supply. Imports of these products declined significantly from 5.2 thousand tons in 2018 to just 0.2 thousand tons in 2023, reducing the reliance on foreign supply.

The market experienced its most pronounced growth in 2021, when production surged by 39% year-on-year, driving the total market volume up by 36%. After 2021, the market adjusted with a modest contraction, stabilizing around 600–615 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Cameroon's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 497.5 K t, which represents a 3.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 517.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 17.3%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 644 t, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 6 595 t, representing a 2.5-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, exports surged by 149.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 49.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Central African Republic and Chad dominated Cameroon's exports in kind, accounting for 97.5% of total flows. Central African Republic represented 54.0% of exports, while Chad accounted for 43.5%, with the remaining volume going to other partners.

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

Export values displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 3 026 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 301.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 48.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Central African Republic and Chad together accounted for 96.7% of Cameroon's total export value for wheat and meslin flour and cereals, with the remaining value distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced considerable volatility during these years. The highest import level was recorded in 2018 at 5 184 t, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 071 t, representing a 4.8-fold difference. In 2020, imports decreased sharply by 73.2% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Turkey, and Oman were consistently the main sources of imports in kind for Cameroon. Spain accounted for 45.6% of imports, Turkey for 34.3%, and Oman for 13.4%, together representing 93.3% 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

Cameroon's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 574 K $ US, showing a steep decrease of 61.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 71.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 34.2%.

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

Over the period 2017-2020, Spain, Turkey, and Oman emerged as the primary markets for imports in value terms. Spain represented 41.3% of import value, Turkey 29.8%, and Oman 17.0%, together accounting for 88.2% of total import flows.

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

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