(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s frozen fish imports fell sharply in 2024, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The country imported 207,092 tons of frozen fish, down from 234,573 tons in 2023, representing an 11.7% decline in volume. In value, imports dropped from CFA182 billion to CFA167.3 billion, an 8.3% decrease.
The domestic market remains heavily dependent on imports to meet demand. The main imported species include mackerel, sardines, sea bass, croakers, tuna, tilapia, and catfish. Between 2015 and 2018, mackerel alone accounted for 48.7% of total volumes (257,411 tons), followed by other mixed fish species with 36.4% (192,241 tons) out of 527,768 tons imported, according to official sector data.
Frozen Fish Imports (2023–2024)
| Year | Volume (tons) | Value (CFA billion) | Volume change | Value change |
| 2023 | 234,573 | 182.0 | — | — |
| 2024 | 207,092 | 167.3 | -11.7% | -8.3% |
Cameroon’s main suppliers remain Mauritania, Senegal, Argentina, China, Vietnam, Morocco, and Brazil, according to the 2024–2027 Integrated Import Substitution Plan for the Agro-pastoral and Fisheries Sector (PIISAH). On the business front, Congelcam maintains a dominant market position, handling about 80% of imported volumes, ahead of Cameroun Frais, Ets Zumi, Green Sea, Lehas, Queen Fish, and SCIMEX, which share the remaining 20%.
The country’s heavy reliance on imports reflects a structural gap between domestic supply and demand, estimated at around 500,000 tons per year. To address this imbalance, the government plans to boost local production. According to the Ministry of Finance’s 2025–2027 Economic and Budgetary Programming Document, fish output is expected to rise from 225,000 tons in 2024 to 600,000 tons in 2027—an increase of 166.7% over four years.
To reach this goal, authorities intend to invest in building and rehabilitating fishing infrastructure while implementing the Integrated Import Substitution Plan. The program aims to gradually reduce import dependency, strengthen food security, and support the growth of Cameroon’s fisheries sector.
