The introduction by the United States of reciprocal tariffs of 15% in August 2025 disrupted Cameroon’s exports to the U.S. market, particularly cocoa paste, sawn timber, and natural rubber, the country’s main products shipped to that destination.
According to a market report by Cameroon’s National Shippers’ Council, exports to the United States increased in volume but declined in value between August and November 2025. Shipments rose to 14,588 tons, from 12,959 tons over the same period in 2024, an increase of 12.6%. Export revenues, however, fell to CFA38.3 billion, from CFA46.0 billion a year earlier, a drop of 16.6%.
Cocoa paste, Cameroon’s leading export to the U.S., accounted for most of the decline. Volumes shipped fell from 6,804 tons in 2024 to 6,119 tons in 2025. In value terms, revenues dropped by 19.7%, from CFA43.1 billion to CFA34.6 billion.
The average unit price declined from CFA6,343 per kilogram to CFA5,665 per kilogram, a contraction of 10.6%. The shippers’ council said the drop reflected price adjustments made by exporters to absorb the impact of tariffs and preserve access to the U.S. market, at the expense of profit margins.
Export value under pressure
Beyond cocoa, the data point to a broader erosion of value added in Cameroon’s exports to the United States and a weakening of competitiveness in a less favorable tariff environment. The National Shippers’ Council said the situation calls for both corporate and policy-level adjustments.
The council first recommends reducing reliance on the U.S. market by diversifying export destinations for cocoa paste, sawn timber, and natural rubber. It cited the Netherlands, Belgium, and China as alternative outlets for timber, and Belgium and Malaysia for rubber.
Another option identified is to tap opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area by redirecting part of exports toward African markets where demand exists, including South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco. Over the longer term, the council said, the most structural response remains accelerating local processing to favor finished goods with higher value added, rather than exporting raw or semi-processed products, in order to strengthen competitiveness and spread commercial risk.
Frédéric Nonos
