The ripple effect on maritime shipping has resulted in a 35% decline in exported volumes, which now stand at 125,469 tons. In terms of value, foreign exchange earnings from international sales have plummeted by 58.8%, from 1,410.85 billion FCFA in the previous season to 580.43 billion FCFA.

The deterioration of indicators is due to agronomic tensions and market volatility. The outbreak of a brown pod rot epidemic in the Southwest, the country's second-largest production basin, accounting for 19.9% of national production, behind the Center region (45.8%), has reduced yields. Village market prices paid to producers have also experienced extreme instability, fluctuating between 4,300 FCFA/kg and a five-year low of 700 FCFA/kg. Local processing units are also struggling with a shortage of raw materials, with a processed volume of 95,946 tons, down 12% from the 109,431 tons of the previous season.

The geography of exports confirms the country's dependence on the European community market, which accounts for 84.62% of shipments (113,528 tons), far ahead of Asian buyers with 14.24% (19,107 tons) and the African continent, which captures only 1.13% (1,515 tons). The sharp decline in export performance highlights the vulnerability of the state's external revenue to phytosanitary shocks and fluctuations in global commodity prices.


Ndjomo Carlos

Tags: cacao cameroun exportations agriculture economie marches production commerce secteur primaire