Cameroon's coffee sector is slowly regaining its prosperity in terms of production and transformation as the world celebrates the International Coffee Day on October 1. The sector has seen significant developments, including the inauguration of a coffee roasting unit in Bafoussam in March 2026 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Minader). This initiative aims to promote local coffee and increase its competitiveness.
The Minader has expressed optimism about the sector's future, announcing plans to reorganize producers, rejuvenate plantations, and use climate-resistant plant material to address the issue of declining productivity. The development of infrastructure to facilitate production is also a key project. These efforts are expected to help the sector regain its momentum and provide better remuneration for producers.
According to the Minister of Trade, Cameroon is on the right track, with a focus on producing high-quality coffee that commands a good price. The country's youth are seen as a key asset in this endeavor, and the current environment is favorable for growth. The Littoral and West regions are currently the main coffee-producing areas, accounting for 71.6% of the market share.
The coffee sector is showing signs of improvement, with the campaign launched in January at the East region offering promising prospects. The government aims to consolidate gains and focus on transforming and consuming local coffee, in line with the National Development Strategy 2030 (SND30). This strategy seeks to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The prices of coffee have increased significantly, with farmgate prices ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 FCFA per kilogram, compared to 300-400 FCFA in the 2014-2015 campaign. The 2024-2025 campaign, which ended on September 15, 2025, for Arabica coffee and November 15, 2025, for Robusta coffee, showed promising statistics, with a significant increase in production.
The government is committed to supporting the coffee sector, with initiatives aimed at increasing production, transformation, and consumption. The development of the sector is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and provide better livelihoods for coffee producers.
As the world celebrates International Coffee Day, Cameroon's coffee sector is poised for growth, with a focus on quality, transformation, and local consumption. The sector's prospects are promising, with the government's efforts to support producers and improve infrastructure expected to yield positive results.
Key points
- The Cameroonian government has launched initiatives to boost the coffee sector, including the creation of a coffee roasting unit and the distribution of agricultural equipment to producers.
- The country's coffee production is mainly concentrated in the Littoral and West regions, which account for 71.6% of the market share.
- Farmgate prices for coffee have increased significantly, ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 FCFA per kilogram.
