Cameroon’s Palm Oil Imports from Africa Surge Tenfold in Six Years

Between 2017 and 2023, Cameroon imported 409,000 tons of palm oil from other African countries, spending CFA280.4 billion, according to a recent report by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The country’s palm oil imports soared from 12,600 tons in 2017 (CFA5.7 billion) to 122,500 tons in 2023 (CFA89.9 billion).

The report highlights that Cameroon primarily sources palm oil from Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire, with Côte d’Ivoire emerging as the top supplier. In 2023 alone, Cameroon imported 39,327 tons of palm oil from Côte d’Ivoire, valued at CFA27.2 billion. Palm oil now represents 19% of Cameroon’s imports from African countries in 2023.

The growing demand for palm oil in Cameroon is outpacing domestic production, deepening the supply gap. In 2022, the Association of Oilseed Refiners of Cameroon (Asroc) estimated the annual shortfall at 160,000 tons, based on processing units operating at 50% capacity. However, industry experts suggest the real deficit exceeds 500,000 tons yearly, with national demand surpassing one million tons, while local production remains between 400,000 and 500,000 tons.

Tags: palm oil, imports, Gabon, demand, African countries, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon