Cameroon, the largest palm oil producer in Central Africa, produced over 450,000 tons in 2020 but still imports about 130,000 tons a year to meet its domestic demand. Most of the imported palm oil comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Gabon.
Where does Cameroon source its palm oil from?
For several years, Cameroon has been faced with a dilemma: most of its imported palm oil comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Gabon. Boosting productivity without jeopardizing sustainability has been a challenge.
Why is oil palm expansion a problem in Cameroon?
Oil palm expansion in Cameroon has been driven by rising global demand for vegetable oils for consumption and cosmetics. While making a significant contribution to national economies, the expansion of oil palm plantations is a cause for environmental concerns.
Does Cameroon have a national strategy for palm oil?
Governance requires having at least a national oil palm strategy still awaiting, then fighting against deforestation, approving selling prices, rationalizing production and reducing imports. Cameroon has a national strategy for sustainable development of the palm oil sector which is pending validation.