In November 2024, Cameroon experienced a downturn in its banana export figures, as reported by the Cameroon Banana Association (Assobacam). The country's total banana exports reached 16,004 tons, marking a decrease from the 19,866 tons recorded in the same month of 2023. This represents a year-on-year decline of 3,862 tons or 19.4%.
Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP), the leading exporter, faced a significant reduction in its export volume, with a nearly 30% drop. PHP's exports were recorded at 10,903 tons in November 2024, a decrease of 4,628 tons compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Mondoni Banana Company (CDBM), a newcomer to the Cameroonian market, reported an 81.7% increase in its export volume, with exports rising from 732 tons in November 2023 to 1,628 tons in November 2024.
The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) also saw a positive trend, with a 24.6% increase in exports, totaling 2,493 tons in November 2024. This is despite the challenges posed by the socio-political crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. Additionally, Boh Plantations Plc experienced a decline in its export figures, with a drop of 459 tons, exporting a total of 980 tons in November 2024.
Bananas continue to be a crucial export commodity for Cameroon, generating significant revenue from the G7 countries. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), banana exports to these countries amounted to CFA 42.9 billion in 2023. As part of its National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND 20-30), Cameroon aims to increase its annual banana production to 500,000 tons by 2030, from the current levels of 210,000 to 240,000 tons.
Source: Business in Cameroon