Cameroon banana exports surge 17.6% in H1, 2026

CAMEROON – Cameroon has exported 122,001 metric tons of bananas in the first half of 2026, a 17.6% increase on the 100,564 metric tons shipped in the same period of 2025, driven almost entirely by the two Cameroonian subsidiaries of the French agribusiness group Compagnie Fruitière.

First, Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP), the country’s leading banana producer, exported 86,267 metric tons through the end of June, up 15,410 metric tons, or 18%, from 70,857 metric tons a year earlier.

On the other hand, Compagnie des Bananes de Mondoni (CDBM) grew even faster, shipping 14,621 metric tons compared with 9,336 metric tons during the first half of 2025, a rise of 5,285 metric tons, or 36.1%.

Together, PHP and CDBM added 20,695 metric tons to their combined export volume, accounting for nearly the entirety of Cameroon’s overall export growth during the period.

The key factors driving the significant growth in banana exports include solid production levels at PHP and CDBM, and the October 2025 acquisition of the agricultural assets of Boh Plantations Plc, which had previously ranked as the country’s fourth-largest banana producer.

Meanwhile, Assobacam data show that Boh Plantations exported 5,592 metric tons during the first half of 2025, volumes now integrated into the Compagnie Fruitière group’s export figures. This acquisition allowed the French group to expand its market share and consolidate its dominant position in Cameroon’s banana export sector.

Furthermore, the state-owned Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) exported 21,113 metric tons during the first half of 2026, an increase of 742 metric tons, or 3.5%, from 20,371 metric tons in the same period a year earlier.

CDC’s growth remains modest, with June volumes falling to 3,085 metric tons, the lowest monthly figure recorded since the start of the year. The company’s performance continues to reflect the consequences of the socio-political crisis that has affected Cameroon’s English-speaking regions since late 2016.

For instance, Separatist unrest severely disrupted operations at several of CDC’s banana plantations, particularly in the Southwest Region, generating financial losses that continue to weigh on the company’s operations and balance sheet.

The Compagnie Fruitière group’s subsidiaries have demonstrated market dominance, strengthening Cameroon’s position in the global banana market. Private agribusinesses are driving growth, while the state-owned CDC continues to struggle amid regional conflict.

Despite these localized challenges, the industry remains a vital economic driver, generating substantial revenue for the nation.

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