Cameroon: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in Cameroon

The Cameroonian onion and shallot market fell to $X in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a prominent expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Production in Cameroon

In value terms, onion and shallot production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 181%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average onion and shallot yield in Cameroon dropped modestly to X tons per ha, which is down by -2.2% on the previous year's figure. In general, the yield showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 4.4%. The onion and shallot yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of onions and shallots in Cameroon expanded slightly to X ha, with an increase of 2.3% compared with the year before. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 158%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to onion and shallot production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports from Cameroon

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of onions and shallots decreased by -0.7% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 325%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 555%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Congo (X tons), Central African Republic (X tons) and Gabon (X kg) were the main destinations of onion and shallot exports from Cameroon, together accounting for 100% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Central African Republic (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Central African Republic ($X) remains the key foreign market for onions and shallots exports from Cameroon, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Congo ($X), with a 26% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Central African Republic amounted to +23.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+5.3% per year) and Gabon (-1.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average onion and shallot export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 54%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Gabon ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Congo ($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 Gabon (+21.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports into Cameroon

Onion and shallot imports into Cameroon expanded notably to X tons in 2022, picking up by 14% against the year before. Overall, imports enjoyed a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 62%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest onion and shallot supplier to Cameroon, with a 46% share of total imports. Moreover, onion and shallot imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), more than tenfold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands amounted to -5.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-11.2% per year) and China (+25.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of onions and shallots to Cameroon, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 2.3% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 1.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands totaled -7.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-9.2% per year) and China (+14.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average onion and shallot import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 18%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform