Cameroon: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Cameroon

In 2021, the Cameroonian printing and writing paper market increased by 7.6% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption posted resilient growth. Printing and writing paper consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Cameroon

In 2022, approx. X tons of printing and writing paper were exported from Cameroon; stabilizing at 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 288%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 186% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Gabon (X tons) was the main destination for printing and writing paper exports from Cameroon, with a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, printing and writing paper exports to Gabon exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Central African Republic (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Congo (X tons), with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Gabon amounted to +24.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Central African Republic (+12.6% per year) and Congo (-10.3% per year).

In value terms, Gabon ($X) remains the key foreign market for printing and writing paper exports from Cameroon, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Congo ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Central African Republic, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Gabon amounted to +23.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+8.1% per year) and Central African Republic (+12.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average printing and writing paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -15.9% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, printing and writing paper export price increased by +69.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 50% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Congo (+20.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Cameroon

In 2022, purchases abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -0.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 104%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 97% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Portugal (X tons) constituted the largest printing and writing paper supplier to Cameroon, with a 19% share of total imports. Moreover, printing and writing paper imports from Portugal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), fourfold. Indonesia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Portugal totaled +27.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+11.5% per year) and Indonesia (-5.6% per year).

In value terms, Portugal ($X) constituted the largest supplier of printing and writing paper to Cameroon, comprising 19% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 4.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Portugal totaled +26.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+9.0% per year) and Indonesia (-7.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 6.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (-0.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform