Cameroon spent 55.8 billion CFA francs by the end of the 2025 fiscal year on perfumes and beauty products, according to data from the General Directorate of Customs. Examination of the numerical data highlights an annual growth of 27.9% compared to the 43.6 billion CFA francs recorded a year earlier, reflecting the extent of dependence on foreign suppliers. Quantifying the volumes delivered to the national territory, competent services report an increase from 12,724 tonnes to 16,036 tonnes over the same period, representing an overall increase of 26% in incoming flows.


During the same period, the multi-year evolution demonstrates a continuous acceleration in spending devoted to these well-being articles, with the total bill reaching 33.5 billion CFA francs as early as 2023, representing an increase of 66.2% over three fiscal years. Compared to traditional supply items such as glass articles valued at 56.9 billion or milling products fixed at 59 billion CFA francs, cosmetic categories account for 1.1% of the total value of national imports, estimated at 5,240.1 billion CFA francs. Local buyers predominantly favor European or Asian manufacturing, driven by standardization requirements and an entrenched preference for internationally recognized brands.


Several structural obstacles faced by domestic manufacturers largely explain the persistence of this commercial dynamic, notably the high cost of local inputs, the unavailability of standardized packaging on-site, and competition from informal sectors. Without corrective global policies to structure the local productive sector, domestic demand fuels the expansion of external supply markets, positioning the national economy as the third absorption pole for hygiene and beauty products within Francophone Central Africa.


BCN

Tags: commerce extérieur importations cameroun parfums cosmétiques douanes cameroun dépenses importation croissance annuelle importations beauté dependance étrangère volume importations afrique centrale