Palm Oil Crunch Forces Import Plan as Supply Falls Below 10,000 Tonnes

Cameroon plans to import significant volumes of palm oil during the second half of 2026 after domestic stocks fell below 10,000 tonnes, raising concerns about supply for households and industrial users.

The decision was announced following a meeting chaired by Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana in Yaounde on June 2, 2026. The meeting brought together representatives of government agencies, palm oil producers, processors and industry associations to assess the sector’s challenges and identify measures to stabilise the market.

According to the Ministry of Trade, the sector is facing growing pressure from a combination of declining domestic availability and rising international palm oil prices. The situation has tightened supply and increased costs for processors while maintaining pressure on consumer prices.

The ministry said the meeting also highlighted the continued sale of palm oil in bulk through informal channels. According to participants, the practice reduces traceability within the sector and deprives formal operators and public finances of revenue generated through regulated commercial activities.

According to the ministry, several resolutions were adopted following discussions. Stakeholders agreed that increasing national production should be the primary response to current market pressures. Participants called for a more balanced distribution of value across the supply chain to improve remuneration for producers, processors and other operators. They also endorsed stronger cooperation between different segments of the industry to improve supply-chain efficiency and product traceability.

The government additionally announced plans to strengthen its assessment of operators’ production and processing capacities. Technical committees will be established to oversee implementation of the agreed measures and monitor progress across the sector.

The most immediate outcome of the meeting, the ministry revealed, was the acknowledgement that imports will be required to cover domestic needs during the remainder of 2026. The measure is intended to prevent shortages while longer-term efforts to increase local output are implemented.

Palm oil is a key input for food processing, soap manufacturing and other consumer goods industries. Supply disruptions can therefore affect production costs across several sectors of the economy. Cameroon produced 446,984 tonnes of crude palm oil in 2024, according to figures cited by the Prime Minister during the presentation of the government’s economic programme. However, industry estimates indicate that domestic demand substantially exceeds local output, leaving a structural supply gap. The Association of Oilseed Refiners of Cameroon (ASROC) estimates the annual deficit at more than 500,000 tonnes. Between 2017 and 2023, the country imported 409,000 tonnes of palm oil worth CFA280.4 billion to supplement local production.

Government efforts to address the deficit include a 2024-2026 palm oil recovery programme valued at CFA21.7 billion, aimed at supporting major agro-industrial producers and improving yields and processing capacity. Authorities have also set a target of increasing national crude palm oil production by an additional 20,500 tonnes in 2026.

The resolutions adopted in Yaounde place renewed emphasis on expanding domestic production while ensuring sufficient imports to maintain market supply in the short term.

Mercy Fosoh