Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market Size
Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
Market Size (2024) | USD 2.48 Billion |
Market Size (2029) | USD 3.38 Billion |
CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.00 % |
Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market Analysis
The Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size is estimated at USD 2.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 3.38 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The fruits and vegetables market in Cameroon is a crucial component of the country's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to local consumption and export revenues. Agriculture forms a substantial portion of Cameroon's GDP, with fruit and vegetable cultivation playing an essential role. Cameroon produces a variety of fruits, including bananas, plantains, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Bananas are the most significant fruit in terms of production and exports, with Cameroon being a leading banana producer in Central Africa. According to Food and Agriculture Organization data, in 2022, the country produced 878.3 thousand metric tons of bananas, with a significant portion exported to Europe. Pineapples, mangoes, and papayas also contribute to the domestic market, albeit in smaller quantities compared to bananas.
Cameroon's vegetable production includes tomatoes, onions, peppers, okra, and leafy greens such as spinach and amaranth. Tomatoes are the most widely cultivated vegetable in the country. Food and Agriculture Organization data indicates that tomato production in Cameroon reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022. Onions and peppers are also extensively grown, particularly in the northern regions, contributing to local food security and nutrition.
The Littoral, South West, and Centre regions of Cameroon are key areas for fruit production, with their coastal climate and fertile volcanic soils highly suitable for crops like bananas and pineapples. For vegetables, the Adamawa, Far North, and North regions, characterized by more arid climates, serve as major production centers. In terms of trade, Cameroon exports a significant portion of its banana crop, primarily to the European Union. The fruits and vegetables market in Cameroon is vital to the agricultural economy, providing food security, income for smallholder farmers, and substantial export revenues.
Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market Trends
Plantains and Bananas Dominated the Fruit Segment
Cameroon is a major producer of bananas and plantains in Africa, significantly contributing to the Central African region's agricultural economy. These crops are essential staples in the Cameroonian diet and important export commodities. Smallholder farmers and large-scale plantations cultivate both dessert bananas and plantains extensively. Cameroon ranks among the top banana producers in Africa, benefiting from its favorable tropical climate. The South-West and Littoral regions, with their humid conditions, are the primary banana-producing areas. Rising consumer demand has prompted producers to expand cultivation areas. According to Food and Agriculture Organization statistics, banana harvesting area increased from 59,622 hectares in 2020 to 62,012 hectares in 2022. Consequently, Cameroon's banana sector is promoting production commercialization to encourage substantial investments in commercial banana plantations, aiming to increase productivity.
Plantain production in Cameroon primarily serves domestic consumption. As a critical food security crop, plantains are particularly important in rural areas. Cultivation occurs across the country, with the Centre, East, and South regions being key growing areas. However, the sector faces challenges such as soil degradation, limited access to quality inputs, and diseases like Black Sigatoka and Panama disease. Plantains are predominantly consumed domestically, with minimal international trade. They are a staple food for many households, prepared through various methods including boiling, frying, and roasting. A 2023 article in the American Journal of Food Science and Technology estimates plantain consumption in Cameroon at an average of 150 kilograms per capita annually, highlighting its significance in the local diet. Urban demand for plantains is increasing due to population growth and rising incomes. However, high post-harvest losses, ranging from 30% to 40% of total production, restrict plantain availability in local markets and drive up prices due to supply shortages.
Export Opportunities from European Countries
Cameroon is a significant exporter of agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables, with the sector playing a vital role in the country's economy. The primary fruits exported by Cameroon include bananas, pineapples, and mangoes. Bananas are a major export product, primarily destined for the European Union. According to the ITC Trade Map, key European markets include France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Belgium was the largest importer of bananas from Cameroon, accounting for 130.1 thousand metric tons in 2023. After bananas, the most exported fruits are plantains, dates, figs, and pineapples. France, Belgium, and Italy are the main importers of Cameroonian pineapples. In 2023, France imported pineapples worth USD 813 thousand, as reported by the ITC Trade Map. The Cameroonian government has allocated resources to diversify and strengthen agricultural exports under the National Agricultural Investment Plan (PNIA, 2019-2024), with a focus on horticulture. Pineapple is a key crop under this plan, and several projects have been initiated to boost production and post-harvest handling.
Cameroon's main vegetable exports include onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. The onion export industry has grown in recent years, with the country exporting to Central African markets, particularly Gabon, Chad, and the Republic of Congo. Potatoes are also a key export, with shipments primarily going to neighboring countries in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region, according to the ITC Trade Map. The Republic of Congo was the largest importer of vegetables from Cameroon, accounting for USD 858 thousand in 2022. Tomatoes, though exported in smaller quantities, are sold to markets in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. These neighboring countries rely on Cameroon's vegetable exports due to their own limited agricultural output.
Cameroon Fruits and Vegetables Market News
- July 2022: The Ministry of Agriculture, with funding from the African Development Bank, has developed the Agricultural Production Support Programme in Cameroon (PARPAC) as a sector budget support (SBS) initiative. PARPAC aims to enhance the production of key crops in Cameroon including such as potatoes and tomatoes, to mitigate the impact of the food crisis. The program provides farmers and the government with essential resources for agricultural inputs and supports agricultural extension services.
- January 2022: The 2022 Finance Law extended the incentives under “Economic Disaster Areas,” to banana producers in the Far-North, North-West, and South-West Regions, granting them tax exemptions for up to three years during the installation phase and up to seven years during the operational phase to help revitalize the sector.
Cameroon Fruits and Vegetable Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 Rising Domestic Demand and Favorable Climatic Conditions
4.2.2 Export Opportunities from European Countries
4.2.3 Improved Infrastructure and Market Access
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 Inadequate Access to Finance
4.3.2 Limited Value-Addition and Processing Facilities
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Crop Type (Production Analysis, Consumption Analysis by Value and Volume, Import Analysis by Value and Volume, Export Analysis by Value and Volume, and Price Trend Analysis)
5.1.1 Vegetables
5.1.2 Fruits
6. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRICE SCENARIOS
6.1 Bananas
6.2 Tomatoes
6.3 Pineapples
6.4 Onions
6.5 Cucumbers and Gherkins
6.6 Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds
6.7 Okra
6.8 Avocados
6.9 Watermelons
6.10 Cabbages and Other Brassicas
6.11 Chillies and Peppers
6.12 Melons
6.13 Plantains
7. REGIONAL ANALYSIS
7.1 PESTLE Analysis
7.2 Supply Chain Analysis
7.3 Government Policies
8. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
8.1 Distribution Network and Retail Analysis
8.2 List/Profiles of Key Players
9. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Industry Segmentation
A fruit develops from the flower of a plant, while the other parts of the plant are categorized as vegetables. Fruits have a sweet or tart flavor and can be used in desserts, snacks, or juices. Vegetables have a milder or savory taste and are usually eaten as part of a side dish or main course. Cameroon's fruits and vegetables market is segmented by crop type (fruits and vegetables). the report includes production analysis (volume), consumption analysis (value and volume), export analysis (value and volume), import analysis (value and volume), and price trend analysis. The report offers the market size and forecasts in terms of volume in metric tons and value in USD for all the above segments.
Crop Type (Production Analysis, Consumption Analysis by Value and Volume, Import Analysis by Value and Volume, Export Analysis by Value and Volume, and Price Trend Analysis) | |
Vegetables | |
Fruits |
Cameroon Fruits and Vegetable Market Research FAQs
How big is the Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market?
The Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 2.48 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6% to reach USD 3.38 billion by 2029.
What is the current Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size?
In 2024, the Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 2.48 billion.
What years does this Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size was estimated at USD 2.33 billion. The report covers the Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Cameroon Fruits And Vegetables Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Cameroon Fruits and Vegetables Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Cameroon Fruits and Vegetables market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Cameroon Fruits and Vegetables analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.