Cameroon aims to boost corn production to 6 mln tons by 2030

Cameroon plans to increase its annual corn production by 150% to 6 mln tons by 2030. This target is part of the Agriconnect agricultural initiative, launched by the government on October 21, 2026, in partnership with the World Bank. This was reported by Business in Cameroon, citing the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The program aims to support smallholder farmers, improve their access to financing and markets, introduce digital technologies, and attract private investment. The initiative covers eight agricultural value chains, including corn, rice, soybeans, cassava, oil palm, and cocoa. According to Cameroon’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country’s corn production stands at 2.4 mln tons, up 3.5% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s annual domestic corn demand is estimated at approximately 2.8 mln tons. The shortfall is partly covered by imports, mainly for the brewing industry and animal feed producers. Corn is the most widely consumed cereal in the country, while approximately 6 mln people are involved in its production and processing.

According to local researchers, around 58% of corn production is used for human consumption, 16% for animal feed manufacturing, and another 2% for the brewing industry. Approximately 23% of the harvest is exported, primarily to neighboring countries within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Annual shipments to these markets can reach 500 thsd tons.

Despite significant exports, Cameroon continues to increase its corn purchases from abroad due to more competitive prices for imported products. In 2023, imports surged by 229% to 39.99 thsd tons, reaching 81.23 thsd tons in 2024 before declining to 72.59 thsd tons in 2025. Rising imports are creating difficulties for local producers, who are struggling to sell their harvests. In May 2026, Cameroon’s Ministry of Trade even proposed suspending corn imports to support the domestic market.

Tags: corn