AGRO-INDUSTRY : Cameroon Doubles Its Agri-Food Exports in 2024
La voix des entreprises 
Douala Port Authority
(LVDE) – According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the country recorded export earnings of CFAF 532.2 billion in 2024, marking a significant step forward in its agri-food sector.
Cameroon has reached a new milestone in its agri-food development, achieving export revenues of CFAF 532.2 billion in 2024. This figure, published in the latest report by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), represents the highest amount recorded for agri-food products since 2019. This performance reflects a growing momentum in the sector, which has seen its exports double in six years, rising from CFAF 276.6 billion in 2019 to this record level.
An analysis of the data shows that the country surpassed the CFAF 300 billion threshold for the first time in 2021, reaching CFAF 352.5 billion, and then continued this momentum with CFAF 368 billion in 2022 and CFAF 382.3 billion in 2023. However, it remains difficult to determine whether this increase is primarily due to an expansion of the agri-food industry or to monetary fluctuations, particularly changes in the U.S. dollar against the CFA franc.
At the heart of this progress lies a booming cocoa processing sector. Since 2015, several factories have been established, including Sic Cacaos, a subsidiary of Swiss giant Barry Callebaut, which expanded its grinding capacity from 32,000 to 50,000 tons. Other companies such as Neo Industry, Atlantic Cocoa, and Africa Processing Company have also set up industrial units, bringing total grinding capacity to nearly 90,000 tons.
These factories specialize in the export of cocoa derivatives, such as cocoa butter and cocoa powder. In 2023, Cameroon sold 73,236 tons of these products on the international market, generating CFAF 153 billion in revenue. More recently, in the third quarter of 2024, the country exported 13,236 tons of cocoa paste, earning CFAF 49.9 billion—a spectacular increase of CFAF 34.2 billion compared with the same period in 2023, representing a 218% rise.
This growth is even more remarkable given that companies like Neo Industry plan to triple their grinding capacity, while Atlantic Cocoa aims to boost its own from 48,000 to 64,000 tons per year. These developments highlight the determination of sector players to strengthen their position in the international market.
The rise of Cameroon’s agri-food sector is also supported by government policies aimed at promoting industrialization and improving infrastructure. In this context, collaboration between private operators and public institutions is essential to maximize export potential and meet the demands of the global market.
As a reminder, Cameroon is increasingly positioning itself as a key player in the agri-food industry. With rapidly expanding exports, particularly in the cocoa sector, the country is on the path to sustainable economic growth. The strong performance recorded in 2024 could pave the way for new opportunities, both for local producers and for international investors, further consolidating Cameroon’s place in the global agri-food market.
Esther Grace
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