Cameroon: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size in Cameroon

After two years of growth, the Cameroonian expanded metal market decreased by -6.9% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a significant increase. Expanded metal consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports from Cameroon

Expanded metal exports from Cameroon declined dramatically to X tons in 2022, dropping by -46.7% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 26,086% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded metal exports fell notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports faced a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 13,780%. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Chad (X tons) was the main destination for expanded metal exports from Cameroon, with a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded metal exports to Chad exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Congo (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Equatorial Guinea (X tons), with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Chad amounted to +33.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+29.4% per year) and Equatorial Guinea (-24.2% per year).

In value terms, Chad ($X) remains the key foreign market for iron or steel expanded metal exports from Cameroon, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Congo ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Equatorial Guinea, with a 21% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Chad stood at +16.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+7.1% per year) and Equatorial Guinea (-21.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded metal export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -5.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 26%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Central African Republic ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chad ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Central African Republic (+25.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports into Cameroon

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of iron or steel expanded metal, when their volume decreased by -5.6% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 220%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, expanded metal imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 160%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Italy (X tons) constituted the largest expanded metal supplier to Cameroon, accounting for a 28% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded metal imports from Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Belgium (X tons), with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Italy amounted to +44.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+89.7% per year) and Belgium (+39.5% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) constituted the largest supplier of iron or steel expanded metal to Cameroon, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 4.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Italy amounted to +44.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+42.9% per year) and Spain (+59.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded metal import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -12.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Portugal ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform