Yams market in Cameroon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, yam production in Cameroon showed considerable variation, beginning with a sharp decline in 2019 to 513.5 thousand tonnes. The market then entered a period of relative stability with minor fluctuations, peaking at 543.5 thousand tonnes in 2022. This trajectory was supported by rising domestic and export prices from 2020 onward, which signaled stronger demand and provided incentives for growers.

A significant development was the introduction and promotion of the mini-cutting propagation technique from 2021, which helped alleviate seed shortages and facilitated the cultivation of yams on larger areas. This improvement in agricultural practice contributed to the production recovery observed in 2022, enhancing the overall supply capacity.

External market factors also influenced the sector. In 2023, the suspension of food tuber exports by neighboring Côte d'Ivoire altered regional trade flows, impacting Cameroon's market environment. Furthermore, consistently suitable tropical climate conditions supported cultivation, though late 2024 floods in agricultural basins introduced a potential risk factor for production.

Production yams in Cameroon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Cameroon was among the world's leading producers of yams from 2017 to 2020, ranking 7th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Cameroon's yam production increased in 2020. The country produced 519.2 thousand tons of yams that year, representing a slight 1.1% increase over the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 513.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 12.6%.

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

Exports yams from Cameroon

Exports in kind, t

Cameroon's yam exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 43.3 tons of yams that year, which is 25.2% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew dramatically by 54 076.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 715.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Equatorial Guinea accounted for the majority of Cameroon's yam exports by volume, while other markets represented a smaller portion of total exports.

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, $ US

The export market showed significant volatility during the observed period. Cameroon exported 3 528 US dollars worth of yams in 2020, representing a dramatic 25.4% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 609 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6 260.3%. The lowest value occurred in 2017, with the largest decline of 38.9% recorded in 2019. The market experienced a 64-fold swing between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gabon (36.4% of export value), the United States (22.6%), and France (20.8%) were the leading destinations for Cameroon's yam exports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.8% of total export 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 yams to Cameroon

Imports in kind, t

The import data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Cameroon imported approximately 166.2 tons of yams in 2020, up by 118.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 56.7 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 50.3%. Import volumes peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Cameroon's yam imports by volume, accounting for 100.0% 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, $ US

The import market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Cameroon imported 19 281 US dollars worth of yams, representing a 72.7% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 738 US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 48.5%. Import values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of yam imports by value was highly concentrated, with Nigeria alone accounting for 99.9% 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