Cabbage Market Overview in Cameroon

In 2019, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in the Cameroonian cabbage market, when its value decreased by -% to $. Overall, consumption recorded a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of % y-o-y. Cabbage consumption peaked at $ in 2018, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, cabbage production declined remarkably to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $ in 2018, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In 2019, the average yield of cabbage and other brassicas in Cameroon stood at tonnes per ha, growing by % on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield indicated strong growth from 2007 to 2019: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, cabbage yield increased by +% against 2007 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of % against the previous year. The cabbage yield peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the cabbage harvested area in Cameroon contracted slightly to ha, almost unchanged from 2018 figures. Overall, the harvested area recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the harvested area decreased by -% against the previous year. The cabbage harvested area peaked at ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

For the thirteenth consecutive year, Cameroon recorded growth in consumption of cabbage and other brassicas, which increased by % to tonnes in 2019. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when the consumption volume increased by % year-to-year. Over the period under review, consumption attained the maximum volume in 2019 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

The value of the cabbage market in Cameroon reduced to $ in 2019, waning by -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption enjoyed buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the market value increased by % y-o-y. Cabbage consumption peaked at $ in 2018, and then contracted in the following year.

Driven by increasing demand for cabbage in Cameroon, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of cabbage in Cameroon were negligibly small compared to the production volumes. Therefore, the share of imports in the total market was practically nonexistent, both in volume and in value terms. This situation has remained constant over the period under review, which means that domestic producers entirely meet the domestic demand for cabbage.

This tangible trade surplus reflects the fact that the market remains buoyed by domestic production, and the industry is highly incorporated into the global market, which is likely to continue in the medium term.