The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) reported exports of 10,255 tons of bananas from January to April 2024, according to the Cameroon Banana Association. This figure represents a significant decrease from the 33,731 tons exported during the same timeframe in 2017, prior to the full impact of the Anglophone crisis on the company. The CDC has experienced a gradual recovery in production since February 2024, though its export volumes continue to be affected by the socio-political tensions in the region. From 2019 to 2021, the CDC faced cumulative losses amounting to CFA38.7 billion, with salary arrears reaching CFA35.7 billion as of June 30, 2023. The separatist crisis has led to the loss of at least 5,500 jobs, destruction of company facilities, targeted employee killings, and abandonment of plantations by workers due to threats from separatist militants.
Despite these adversities, the CDC has initiated recovery efforts, resuming operations in some plantations previously left idle due to security improvements. This has enabled the company to maintain an average monthly export of 2,000 tons of bananas throughout 2023. Record exports exceeding 3,300 tons were achieved in December 2023 and January 2024, marking the highest export volumes since August 2018. However, exports have since decreased to an average of 1,890 tons per month since February 2024, falling below the 3,000-ton threshold and highlighting ongoing financial challenges for the CDC.
Source: businessincameroon.com