Stagnation in Cameroon pineapple production and exports

In 2023, the world pineapple market was dynamic, with demand up by around +7.3%. But Cameroon's market share remained low (just 0.1%) and similar to previous years.

 

The local media quote a report on the competitiveness of the Cameroonian economy in 2023, produced by a department of the Ministry of the Economy. In 2023, Cameroon fell one place to 37th worldwide exporter of fresh pineapple. In 2023, the main destinations for Cameroonian pineapple were France (59%), Belgium (32%) and Italy (4.7%), as well as the United States (32.2%). 

 

The report highlights that market share for Cameroonian pineapple averaged 0.1% over the period 2019-2023, and has remained static since 2020. Cameroon has not seized opportunities to increase its market share in the EU and the USA, which are 2 drivers of fresh pineapple demand.

 

Productivity is the key factor behind the pineapple industry's underperformance. According to the report, production yield per hectare is 2 times lower in Cameroon than in Costa Rica (the world's leading exporter).