• Maize demand in Cameroon exceeds output, driving up imports sharply

• Low yields, post-harvest losses, and informal exports worsen supply gap

• Report urges sector modernization, better inputs, and improved storage infrastructure

Maize, Cameroon’s most widely grown cereal and a key part of its food security system, plays a central role in the rural economy, yet the sector consistently fails to meet demand, according to a 2024 report on national competitiveness.

The report, published by the Competitiveness Committee under the Ministry of Economy, says households consume nearly 75% of the maize produced and that more than six million people depend on the value chain.

Maize Demand Outpaces National Production

Despite average annual output of 2.2 million tons between 2017 and 2021, production still falls short of demand, which had already reached 2.8 million tons by 2019. Demand is being pushed up by population growth and the expansion of agri-food industries such as livestock farming, milling and starch production. The gap has resulted in a structural deficit that weighs on an already fragile trade balance.

Pressure intensified in 2024, with imports reaching 81,833 tons, a year-on-year increase of 103.1%. Over five years, imports have nearly tripled, rising to 19.4 billion CFA francs ($31.6 million), compared with about 8.5 billion CFA francs in 2010. Argentina remains the main supplier.

At the same time, around 50,000 tons leave the country each year through informal cross-border trade, highlighting weaknesses in the domestic market. The imbalance is further aggravated by post-harvest losses estimated at 11% of production.

Low Yields Deepen Supply Gap

With average yields of 1.8 tons per hectare in 2023, Cameroon remains far below the global average of 5.9 tons and the performance of African producers such as South Africa, which reaches 6.4 tons per hectare. National output has been growing by 2.2% a year, while the population has been rising by 2.8%, widening the deficit.

The report attributes the lag to an agricultural model dominated by small, poorly mechanised family farms with limited access to inputs. It notes that producing one hectare of maize costs about 428,000 CFA francs ($697), driven up by restricted access to certified seeds, fertilisers and proper drying and storage facilities.

To close the gap, the committee calls for faster modernisation of the sector, including the development of large-scale farms to achieve economies of scale. It also recommends strengthening the seed sector, promoting hybrid varieties suited to local conditions, expanding mechanisation and building modern storage infrastructure.

The report stresses the need for better access to agricultural finance to support producers throughout the season. With domestic demand rising, these reforms are seen as essential to reducing reliance on imports and placing the maize sector on a more sustainable and competitive footing.

Amina Malloum, Business in Cameroon