Opportunities

Major Actors in the Industrial Transformation of Agricultural Products

Here is a list of major players in the agro-industry sector in Cameroon, with the products they market and their market shares in certain cases.

Industrial Agricultural Products

Here is a list of Cameroon’s major industrial agricultural products and an overview of global supply and demand trends for those with high profitability potential.
Cameroon is the world’s 5th largest producer of cocoa, with an annual production of around 290,000 tonnes.

Cocoa

Cameroon produces two types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta, with an annual production of around 45,000 tonnes.

Coffee

Around 400,000 tonnes of palm oil are produced in Cameroon each year. It is widely used in the food industry.

Palm Oil

Cameroon produces around 300,000 tonnes of bananas per year.

Bananas

Annual cotton production in Cameroon is around 300,000 tonnes.

Cotton

Production of hevea in Cameroon is approximately 80,000 tonnes.

Hevea (Natural Rubber)

Cameroon produces around 2 million tonnes of corn each year.

Corn

Unique product in Cameroon, around 300 tonnes exported each year.

Penja Pepper

Cameroon produces around 250,000 tonnes of pineapple per year.

Pineapple

Non-Industrial Agricultural Products

Here is a list of agricultural products which are not necessarily industrial but which are in high demand in Cameroon and internationally:

Others

Opportunities for agribusiness in Cameroon are vast and promising, particularly given the country’s agroecological diversity and government initiatives to encourage this strategic sector. Some of the key opportunities identified for agribusiness include:

01

Processing of agricultural products

Cassava: The processing of cassava into flour, starch, and other derived products offers enormous potential. Cassava is one of the main crops in Cameroon, with an annual production of more than 5 million tons. Local processing helps reduce post-harvest losses and increase added value.
Oil palm: The palm oil sector has considerable potential for industrial processing. Cameroon is the 3rd largest producer in Central Africa. Processing into refined oil and derived products for food and cosmetics is a significant opportunity.
Cocoa: Cameroon is one of the main producers of cocoa. There are opportunities to process cocoa locally into chocolate, cocoa powder, and other derived products. Efforts to increase local processing would help capture a larger share of the value chain.

02

Export of processed tropical products

Coffee and cocoa: Cameroon produces excellent qualities of Arabica and Robusta coffee, as well as high-quality cocoa. The development of local coffee and chocolate brands, as well as export to European and American markets, represents a growth opportunity for the agri-food industry.
Tropical fruits: The processing of mangoes, pineapples, papayas and bananas into juice, dried fruits or jams offers a great opportunity for export. Cameroon has a favorable climate for the cultivation of these tropical fruits, which are in high demand on international markets.

03

Essential Oils Industry

Ginger, lemongrass, eucalyptus: The production and processing of these plants into essential oils is booming. These oils have a growing demand in the cosmetic, food and wellness sectors worldwide.

04

Animal product processing

Meat: The demand for processed meat products (dried meat, smoked meat, sausages, etc.) is constantly increasing, both locally and internationally. As Cameroon is a country with high livestock production (especially in the Far North), meat processing offers growth potential for businesses.
Milk and dairy products: Dairy production is still at a relatively embryonic stage, but investments in the processing of milk into yogurt, butter, and cheese offer strong growth potential.

05

Sugar industry and sweet products

Sugar: The production and processing of raw sugar into refined products, including for confectionery and sweetened beverages, is another niche for Cameroonian agro-industry. Companies like SOSUCAM already dominate this market, but there is room for other players.

06

Improving export value chains

Sesame, soybeans, peanuts: Cameroon has a high potential for the production of legumes such as soybeans and peanuts, as well as sesame, which are in high demand on the global market, particularly in Asia and Europe. The development of processing units for these products could boost exports.

07

Agroforestry and sustainable agriculture

Wood and derivatives: In addition to crops, Cameroon is rich in forest resources. Agroforestry, which combines agriculture and reforestation, presents a unique opportunity to develop agroforestry products such as cocoa, coffee, and fruits while combating deforestation.
Organic agriculture: With the rise in global demand for organic products, Cameroon could capitalize on its arable land and climate to position itself as a key supplier of certified organic products.

Government Initiatives to Support Agribusiness

The Cameroonian government has put in place several initiatives to promote the development of agro-industry, such as:

The Agricultural Value Chain Development Program: To support the processing of agricultural products at the local level and attract investments.
The Agricultural Orientation Law of 2001: Encourages investment in agriculture through advantageous tax measures, subsidies and facilities for the acquisition of land.
Agro-Industrial Zones (Agropoles): Special economic zones are set up to encourage the establishment of agri-food processing industries.
Support for local processing: The government promotes public-private partnerships (PPP) in the agricultural sector to encourage the local processing of raw materials.

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