Cameroon: Total imports up 11% despite 22% drop in rice imports in 2018

In 2018, Cameroon’s total imports were up 11% against an increase by only 4% in exports, the national balance of payment’s technical committee said.

This increase in imports, it’s reported, is the result of higher imports of fuels and lubricants (+88%), frozen fish (+35%), aluminum oxide (+93%), bitumen coke (+137%), or chemicals (+17%), etc. However, the committee noted that rice imports over the period dwindled by 22% compared to 2017.

Let’s note Cameroon is a major rice importer. The country also serves as a rice transit hub to neighboring countries such as Gabon, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.