Banana and Plantain Market Overview in Cameroon

In , after two years of growth, there was decline in the Cameroonian banana and plantain market, when its value decreased by -% to $. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the market value increased by % against the previous year. Banana and plantain consumption peaked at $ in 2019, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

In value terms, banana and plantain production declined to $ in estimated in export prices. Overall, production enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $ in 2019, and then contracted in the following year.

In , the average banana and plantain yield in Cameroon stood at tonnes per ha, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average banana and plantain yield reached the maximum level at tonnes per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to , the yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The banana and plantain harvested area in Cameroon stood at ha in , growing by % on the year before. In general, the total harvested area indicated a pronounced expansion from 2007 to : its figure increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on figures, banana and plantain harvested area increased by +% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when the harvested area increased by % y-o-y. The banana and plantain harvested area peaked in and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

For the third consecutive year, Cameroon recorded growth in consumption of bananas and plantains, which increased by % to tonnes in . In general, the total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2007 to : its volume increased at an average annual rate of +% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on figures, consumption increased by +% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the consumption volume increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, consumption reached the peak volume in and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The size of the banana and plantain market in Cameroon reduced to $ in , leveling off at 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). Overall, consumption saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $ in 2019, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Driven by increasing demand for banana and plantain 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 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of banana and plantain 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 banana and plantain.

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.