Cameroon’s maize sector grapples with rising demand, imports
With an average yield of 1.8 tonnes per hectare in 2023, Cameroon remains far from the global standard of 5.9 tonnes per hectare.
CAMEROON – Cameroon is grappling with a widening maize deficit as demand continues to outpace production, according to the 2024 competitiveness report released by the Competitiveness Committee under the Ministry of Economy.
Maize ranks as the country’s third most consumed food after cassava and plantains, and its importance extends well beyond household consumption.
The crop supplies key industries such as breweries, animal feed mills, and food processors, positioning it as a strategic commodity within the national economy.
The report highlights maize as Cameroon’s leading cereal crop and a cornerstone of food security. Nearly 75% of households rely on it, while more than six million people are engaged along its value chain.
However, despite this widespread reliance, the country faces a persistent supply deficit. Between 2017 and 2021, annual production averaged 2.2 million tonnes, compared to demand estimates of 2.8 million tonnes as early as 2019.
Rapid population growth and expanding agri-food sectors, including livestock, flour milling, and starch processors, are compounding the pressure.
This imbalance is reflected in soaring imports. In 2024, incoming maize shipments reached 81,833 tonnes, marking a 103.1% year-on-year increase.
Over the past five years, imports have nearly tripled, raising the national maize import bill to 19.4 billion FCFA (US$32M). Argentina remains the primary supplier.
Yet, despite growing imports, market inefficiencies persist. The report notes that close to 50,000 tonnes leave Cameroon annually through informal cross-border trade, further straining availability.
Post-harvest losses estimated at 11% of total production intensify the shortfall, reflecting challenges in drying, handling, and storage systems.
Yield performance lags behind both regional and global benchmarks. Cameroon produced just 1.8 tonnes per hectare in 2023, well below the world average of 5.9 tonnes and South Africa’s 6.4 tonnes per hectare.
While national maize output is growing at 2.2% annually, population growth of 2.8% continues to widen the gap between supply and consumption.
According to the report, this structural deficit stems from smallholder-based production, limited mechanization, and weak access to essential inputs.
The report highlights that the direct production cost of one hectare of maize is estimated at approximately 428,000 FCFA (US$713). Constraints include insufficient certified seed distribution, low fertilizer use, and a shortage of modern storage infrastructure.
To reverse the trend, the Competitiveness Committee recommends accelerating sector modernization.
Proposed measures include developing large-scale farms capable of achieving economies of scale, strengthening seed systems, promoting hybrid varieties adapted to local conditions, and increasing mechanization.
Upgrading storage facilities and expanding access to agricultural finance are also seen as vital to support producers throughout the production cycle.
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