In August 2024, Cameroon witnessed a 15% increase in its banana exports, totaling 16,105 tons, as per the latest figures from the Banana Association (Assobacam). This growth occurred despite a 19% decline in exports from the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), which managed only 2,268 tons. CDC, a significant agricultural player in the Southwest and Littoral regions, faced a decrease from its previous year's figure of 2,795 tons.
Leading the export surge was Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP), a subsidiary of Compagnie Fruitière de Marseille, which saw its exports climb by 14.3% to 11,424 tons. This increase solidified its position at the forefront of Cameroon's banana market. Another subsidiary, Compagnie des Bananes de Mondoni (CDBM), reported a remarkable 490% increase in exports, reaching 1,102 tons in August 2024, up from 187 tons the previous year.
Despite CDBM's significant growth, it did not reclaim its status as the third-largest producer, a position briefly held by Boh Plantations. However, Boh Plantations experienced a 23.4% increase in its exports, which amounted to 1,311 tons in August 2024. This data underscores the competitive dynamics within Cameroon's banana export sector.
Banana exports are a crucial economic activity for Cameroon, with Europe being the primary market. The United Kingdom alone represents a significant share of this market, contributing nearly €10 million to Cameroon's export revenue. Overall, G7 countries received CFA42.9 billion worth of bananas from Cameroon in 2023, highlighting the fruit's importance to the nation's economy.
Source: Business in Cameroon