Cameroon: driven by the goat sector, national meat production reaches 310,000 tonnes in 2023 (report)
In 2023, Cameroon’s national meat production saw a remarkable increase, reaching an impressive 310,000 tonnes. This surge was primarily driven by the goat sector, which has become a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural economy. The growth in goat meat production reflects a broader trend in the livestock industry, which plays a crucial role in Cameroon’s GDP and provides employment for a substantial portion of the rural population.
The goat sector’s success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the adaptability and resilience of goats make them well-suited to Cameroon’s diverse climates and terrains. Secondly, there has been a growing demand for goat meat both domestically and internationally, which has encouraged farmers to increase their production. Moreover, initiatives like the Livestock Development Project (PRODEL) have been instrumental in enhancing the productivity and commercialization of livestock products in Cameroon.
The increase in production is not without its challenges, however. The livestock sector must contend with issues such as limited access to resources, the impacts of climate change, health concerns, and the need for organized pastoralist producers. The COVID-19 pandemic also posed significant disruptions, affecting supply chains and exacerbating tensions between farming and grazing populations.
Despite these hurdles, the future of Cameroon’s goat sector looks promising. With continued support from government initiatives and an emphasis on sustainable practices, the sector is poised for further growth. This will not only boost the economy but also improve the livelihoods of many Cameroonian farmers and contribute to food security in the region.
The report on Cameroon’s goat meat market provides a comprehensive overview of the market size, dynamics, and the main market participants. It also offers strategic analysis and forecasts for the market’s development in the medium term, considering the recent high-impact world events and their effects on the industry.
As Cameroon continues to navigate the complexities of livestock production, the goat sector stands out as a beacon of progress and potential. It is a testament to the resilience and hard work of the Cameroonian farmers and the strategic support of the government and development projects. The nation’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges is indeed a story worth telling, and the goat sector’s contribution to national meat production is a chapter that will inspire many in the years to come.
During the year 2023, national meat production reached 309,129 tons compared to 290,735 tons a year earlier, an increase of 18,394 tons (6%) according to the report of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (Minepia) on the situation of production and imports of these subsectors. According to the document, this increase in production was supported by investments made in favour of livestock.
Indeed, according to the Conjoncture note on Cameroon’s public debt for 2023, the country has collected 6.58 billion CFA francs from international donors to develop livestock farming and increase national meat production capacities. In detail, the document from the Autonomous Amortization Fund states that the disbursements were made to finance livestock sector development projects (4.22 billion CFA francs, IDA), livestock and fish farming value chain development (2.2 billion CFA francs, AfDB) and livestock and livestock marketing development (168 million CFA francs, IDB).
In addition, Minepia had also allocated a budget of 30.145 billion CFA francs for the 2023 financial year to implement a national plan for the development of the dairy and livestock sectors, to ensure the increase in the production of animal products and to protect livestock from animal diseases. The private sector has not been left behind, with planned investments of 3.275 billion CFA francs to boost agriculture and livestock according to the conclusions of the investment forum in the Agriculture and Livestock sectors in Cameroon of the Cameroonian employers’ organization.
The goat sector is driving the increase
According to the Minepia document, the overall production of this commodity is dominated by beef with 130,169 tons, followed by poultry meat with 65,312 tons, pork with 49,435 tons, goat meat with 38,564 tons and sheep meat with 25,649 tons. In general, there is an increase in the production of all types of meat compared to the previous year. This increase is more significant for goat meat and poultry meat, where there are increases of 16% and 9% respectively.
Compared to the 33,268 tonnes produced in 2022, goat meat is the one that performed best over the year after 3 years where it evolved timidly. In 2020, goat meat production amounted to 26,082 tonnes and increased to 27,783 tonnes (+3%) a year later before exceeding 30,000 tonnes (7%) in 2022. The Far North region contributed the most to this increase with production increasing from 20,400 tonnes in 2022 to 23,400 tonnes in 2023. “The good health of goat herds obtained thanks to the intensified vaccination campaigns since 2021 could partly explain this jump in meat production,” indicates Minepia.
It should be noted that, despite this good performance of the sector, the country imported 684 tons of meat and edible offal for 637 million CFA francs in 2023, according to data from the ministerial department. These figures are up compared to 2022 when they amounted to 555 tons (+23%) for an almost identical amount, 626 million CFA francs. Minepia announced the construction of an industrial cattle slaughterhouse in Douala (Littoral) and another in Bamenda (North-West) for the current year to provide the country with an industrial slaughterhouse chain to increase the country’s meat production and put an end to imports.
