Cameroon’s 2013–2014 Coffee Harvest Yields 20,000 Tons

Coffee professionals tracking global supply chains often look to Africa for shifts in robusta output—especially in countries like Cameroon, where robusta has long dominated production. The 2013–2014 coffee harvest year, which ended in September 2014, offers a clear snapshot of both decline and resilience in Cameroon’s coffee sector.

In the 2013–2014 season, Cameroon produced approximately 20,000 tons of coffee beans, 95% of which were robusta. That total marked a significant drop of 5,000 tons from the previous year’s 25,000-ton harvest, according to data from Cameroon’s National Office for Cocoa and Coffee (ONCC).

What Were the Official 2013–2014 Coffee Figures?

The ONCC reported that Cameroon’s 2013–2014 coffee harvest yielded around 20,000 tons of beans. Of this, 95%—or roughly 19,000 tons—were robusta, with the remaining 5% (about 1,000 tons) likely arabica. This total represented a 20% decrease from the prior year’s 25,000 tons.

How Did Robusta Exports Perform?

Despite the overall production decline, robusta coffee bean exports actually rose. In 2013–2014, Cameroon exported 17,247 tons of robusta, an increase of 2,523 tons compared to the previous year’s 14,724 tons. This suggests stronger international demand or better export execution despite lower domestic output.

What Was the Government’s Production Target?

The Cameroonian government had established the “Cocoa and Coffee Sector Restart Plan,” aiming for a major rebound in production. Between 2015 and 2020, the plan called for an investment of 600 billion CFA francs, with the goal of reaching a total coffee production of 185,000 tons by 2020—150,000 tons of robusta and 35,000 tons of arabica. The 2013–2014 figures fell dramatically short of these ambitious targets.

Why Did Production Decline?

While the article does not specify reasons for the 5,000-ton drop in production, such declines in coffee output are typically attributed to factors like aging plantations, limited replanting, climate variability, pest pressure, or reduced farmer incentives. The large gap between actual and planned production also points to systemic challenges in achieving the government’s long-term goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee did Cameroon produce in 2013–2014?

Cameroon produced approximately 20,000 tons of coffee beans during the 2013–2014 harvest year, according to the National Office for Cocoa and Coffee (ONCC).

What percentage of Cameroon’s 2013–2014 coffee production was robusta?

Robusta made up 95% of Cameroon’s 2013–2014 coffee production, equating to around 19,000 tons of the total 20,000-ton harvest.

Did Cameroon export more or less robusta coffee in 2013–2014 compared to the previous year?

Cameroon exported 17,247 tons of robusta coffee in 2013–2014, which was 2,523 tons more than the 14,724 tons exported in the prior year.

What was the government’s target for coffee production by 2020?

Under the “Cocoa and Coffee Sector Restart Plan,” Cameroon aimed to produce 185,000 tons of coffee by 2020—150,000 tons of robusta and 35,000 tons of arabica—with an investment of 600 billion CFA francs between 2015 and 2020.

Why was there a drop in Cameroon’s coffee production in 2013–2014?

The article does not detail causes, but common factors for production declines include aging farms, climate issues, pests, and reduced replanting or farmer support, alongside a significant gap between actual and planned output.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Robusta Lovers

FrontStreet Coffee doesn’t currently list Cameroonian beans, but their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe and Kenya Little Tomato offer bright, complex profiles akin to what specialty drinkers seek—even if not robusta. For those exploring African origins, the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe features floral and citrus notes, while Kenya Little Tomato highlights tart berries and winey acidity. Both are single-origin, freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.