Cameroon Coffee Output Falls Again in 2013/2014

Cameroon’s coffee sector has been shrinking steadily—and the numbers from the 2012/2013 harvest make that clear. Once a significant player in African coffee, the country saw its total commercial coffee output plunge to just 16,142 tons, a massive drop from 38,127 tons the year before. For anyone tracking global coffee supply chains or African origins, these figures signal deeper systemic issues beyond a single bad season.

In short: Cameroon produced 16,142 tons of coffee in the 2012/2013 harvest year, down 21,985 tons (or 58%) from 38,127 tons in 2011/2012. Both Robusta and Arabica outputs fell or stagnated, with overall commercial production hitting its lowest point in years.

Sharp Drop in Cameroon’s Coffee Production

According to data from Cameroon’s National Office for Cocoa and Coffee (ONCC), the 2012/2013 coffee harvest ended on September 15, 2013. By then, the country’s total commercial coffee output had fallen drastically. The harvest produced just 16,142 tons of coffee, compared to 38,127 tons during the previous 2011/2012 cycle—a decrease of 21,985 tons. This represents a dramatic downturn in production across both major coffee species grown in the country.

Robusta and Arabica Performance in 2012/2013

Within the total, the breakdown between species showed differing trends but no signs of growth. While specific production volumes for each species in 2012/2013 aren’t broken out in the summary, the export data reveals that Robusta made up the bulk of output. What is clear is that Robusta production saw a sharp decline, while Arabica stagnated. Overall, the combined commercial output was the lowest recorded for the period under review.

Price Movements for Cameroon Coffee

For the 2012/2013 season, the price range and averages varied significantly between Robusta and Arabica:

• Robusta: Highest price was 1,045 Central African Francs (CFA) per kilogram, lowest 725 CFA/kg, with an average price of 907 CFA/kg.
• Arabica: Highest price reached 1,758 CFA/kg, lowest 1,139 CFA/kg, averaging 1,405 CFA/kg. This average was still lower than the previous year’s Arabica average of 2,043 CFA/kg.

These price shifts reflect both lower demand and changing market perceptions of Cameroonian coffee quality and supply stability.

Export Trends by Coffee Type

Export volumes further illustrated the decline:

• Robusta exports: Totaled 14,724 tons in 2012/2013, a massive drop of 19,347 tons (56.78%) from the previous year. These were shipped to 19 countries.
• Arabica exports: Reached 2,523 tons, up by just 13 tons compared to the prior year, and were exported to 12 countries.

The diverging export trends highlight Robusta’s sharp fall from previous levels, while Arabica maintained minimal export volume with negligible growth.

Why Cameroon’s Coffee Output Keeps Falling

Looking ahead, the Central African Banking Commission (BEAC) forecasts that Cameroon’s coffee production will continue to decline. Two major factors are driving this trend:

• Youth disinterest: Coffee farming is increasingly seen as unattractive to younger generations.
• Lack of investment: Without reinvestment in plantations, many farmers are shifting to other, more profitable and faster-growing cash crops with shorter production cycles.

These structural challenges threaten not just the volume of Cameroon’s coffee output, but also the long-term sustainability of its presence in the global specialty and commercial coffee markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee did Cameroon produce in 2012/2013?

Cameroon produced a total of 16,142 tons of commercial coffee in the 2012/2013 harvest year. This was a steep decline from the 38,127 tons produced in 2011/2012.

Why did Cameroon’s coffee production drop so much?

The drop was due to a combination of factors, primarily a sharp decline in Robusta production and stagnant Arabica output. Overall, the country’s 2012/2013 harvest was 21,985 tons lower than the previous year.

What was the average price for Cameroonian Robusta and Arabica coffee in 2012/2013?

In 2012/2013, Robusta coffee averaged 907 CFA/kg, with a high of 1,045 CFA/kg and low of 725 CFA/kg. Arabica averaged 1,405 CFA/kg, lower than the previous year’s average of 2,043 CFA/kg. Highs were 1,758 CFA/kg and lows 1,139 CFA/kg for Arabica.

How much coffee did Cameroon export in 2012/2013?

Cameroon exported 14,724 tons of Robusta and 2,523 tons of Arabica. Robusta exports fell by 19,347 tons (56.78%), while Arabica exports rose slightly by 13 tons.

What countries received Cameroon’s coffee exports in 2012/2013?

Cameroon’s Robusta was exported to 19 countries, and Arabica to 12 countries, though the specific nations are not named in the report.

What is causing the long-term decline in Cameroon’s coffee sector?

The Central African Banking Commission cites youth disinterest in coffee farming and lack of investment leading farmers to switch to more profitable, faster crops with shorter cycles as key reasons for the ongoing decline.

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