Cameroon exported 8,047 tons of sugar in 2025, according to foreign trade data from the National Institute of Statistics. The figure marks a sharp increase from 512 tons exported in 2024.
The surge comes despite a long-standing supply shortfall in the domestic market. With annual production typically ranging between 120,000 and 160,000 tons, the country’s main producer, Sosucam, struggles to meet national demand, which is estimated at around 300,000 tons per year. To bridge the gap, authorities regularly approve imports to support local supply.
In this context, the rise in exports raises questions less about sector growth than about the nature of the flows involved. It may reflect short-term trade decisions, particularly toward neighboring markets where prices are higher, rather than a sustained expansion of Cameroon’s sugar exports.
A similar situation emerged in 2022, when the government suspended exports of several goods, including sugar, oil, and cement, to the Central African Republic. The move was aimed at limiting outflows to more lucrative neighboring markets at a time when shortages were already affecting domestic supply.
BRM
