(Business in Cameroon) – Last week, Cameroon’s trade department announced plans to boost agricultural exports to China. To achieve this, the ministry formed a partnership with the Qingdao International Agricultural Products Exhibition and Trade Center, which operates under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and is located in the port city of Qingdao, China. This initiative is part of the “From Cameroon’s Farm to China’s Table” program, aiming to showcase Cameroonian agricultural products in China while promoting the “Made in Cameroon” label. It aligns with the government’s broader strategy to diversify exports and strengthen the country’s international trade presence.
The Qingdao Center is a key hub for agricultural trade in Asia and has been chosen as Cameroon’s strategic partner in this effort. Cameroon’s Trade Minister, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, recently visited the center to lay the foundation for this collaboration. He highlighted that the project perfectly aligns with President Paul Biya’s vision of opening up new markets for top-quality Cameroonian products. “This is an incredible chance for our farmers to reach China’s huge market,” the minister said after his visit.
The first products set to benefit from this partnership are Cameroonian pepper and chili, known for their distinctive flavor and quality. “These spices embody the richness and diversity of our land. Their growing popularity in China holds great promise for our farmers,” the Cameroonian official said. The plan is to build a full value chain, from Cameroonian farms to Chinese consumers, covering everything from processing to marketing. “This isn’t just about exporting products,” the minister pointed out. “It’s about creating a complete value chain, from production to market.” He also mentioned that this partnership could open doors for other agricultural exports, like cocoa, coffee, and bananas.
China is one of Cameroon’s biggest trade partners. In 2023, China was the second-largest market for Cameroonian exports in Asia, just behind India, according to a report published by the National Institute of Statistics in June 2024. That year, Cameroon exported 936,100 tons of goods to China, valued at CFA231.9 billion—a 33.9% increase compared to 2022.
However, over 97% of these exports were raw materials, with crude oil and liquefied natural gas making up 57.8% and 10.5% of the total export value, respectively. Other exports included raw timber, like Okan (6.4%), sawn Sapelli wood (3.7%), and raw Tali timber (2.2%), along with unprocessed cotton (3.1%). The government hopes that by adding processed agricultural products to the mix, it will unlock new economic opportunities for Cameroon.
