Cameroon’s banana exports surge by 15% in August 2024

CAMEROON – Cameroon’s banana exports reached 16,105 tons in August 2024, marking a 15% year-on-year increase, further solidifying the country’s position as a key player in the global banana market.

According to data from the Banana Association and analysis by Invest in Cameroon, August 2024 saw a rise of 2,103 tons compared to the same month in 2023.

This surge highlights a continued upward trend for Cameroonian banana exports, especially in European markets.

As noted by BKP Economic Advisors, “The United Kingdom alone captures about 13% of Cameroon’s banana exports, amounting to approximately 6.53 billion CFA francs (USD 11.01 million).”

The country’s export market remains dominated by key players like Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP), the largest subsidiary of the French agro-industrial group Compagnie fruitière de Marseille.

PHP’s exports for August 2024 reached 11,424 tons, up from 9,996 tons in August 2023. This 14.3% increase underscores the company’s leadership in the sector.

Cameroon’s banana market is predominantly led by PHP, which contributes significantly to the country’s export earnings.

The company’s substantial growth in exports not only strengthens its own standing but also boosts the overall market. Meanwhile, PHP’s second subsidiary, Compagnie des Bananes de Mondoni (CDBM), exported 1,102 tons in August 2024, marking a 490% increase compared to the 187 tons it exported in August 2023.

Although this performance represents one of the company’s best months, it still trails behind Boh Plantations, which reclaimed the third position in the market earlier this year.

Boh Plantations, another significant player, also saw growth, with its shipments increasing by 23.4% in August 2024.

“Our goal is to continue growing and ensuring the quality of Cameroonian bananas meets international standards,” a representative from Boh Plantations remarked, adding that maintaining this growth requires consistent effort and investment in production processes.

While most producers witnessed an increase in exports, the state-owned Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) faced a contrasting situation.

CDC’s banana exports fell by 19%, from 2,795 tons in August 2023 to 2,268 tons in August 2024. This decline is attributed to ongoing challenges in the South-West and Littoral regions, where CDC operates. As the company continues to struggle with production levels, its contribution to the national export total remains relatively low.

Despite CDC’s challenges, Cameroon’s banana exports continue to thrive, with a substantial portion heading to Europe, including key markets such as the UK, France, and Germany.

In 2023, Cameroon exported bananas worth 42.9 billion CFA francs (USD 72.34 million) to G7 countries, a trend that has shown further promise in 2024.

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