After expansion of cultivated areas: Statistics institute reports drop in rice, corn imports.

It detailed that Cameroon cut its food import bill by 11 billion FCFA, about 17%, as purchases of rice and corn from abroad fell sharply. The value of food imports, it said, fell to 54 billion FCFA from 65 billion FCFA. 

In its Cameroon Joint Monitoring Report, NIS attributed much of the decline to rice, stating that the decline is thanks to the expansion of cultivated areas since 2024 and higher customs duties. 

We gathered that import duties rose by 5% for ordinary rice and 20% for categories classified as premium rice, with the aim to make imported rice relatively more expensive while supporting domestic production. 

NIS reported that the decline was even sharper for corn, as import values fell from 3.9 billion FCFA in the first quarter of 2025 to about 600 million FCFA during the same period in 2026, a drop of nearly 85%. 

The institution further cautioned that the decline does not stem solely from sustained growth in domestic production. 

Citing several temporary factors that also contributed to the decline, the body cited higher maritime transport costs, which made some imports less attractive. 

The statistics institute said more rice and corn remained available in the market after informal exports to neighboring Nigeria slowed, linking the change to several developments in Nigeria, including restrictions on certain imports from outside the Economic Community of West African States, depreciation of the naira and government support for Nigerian agricultural production. 

The report further warned that the current reduction in imports could create supply pressures over the coming quarters if exports to Nigeria resume or domestic production falls significantly. 

The institution also warned that the factors behind lower imports could hurt small farmers who can no longer sell their crops at profitable prices or within their usual timeframes, limiting their ability to buy other food products. 

 This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3883 of Wednesday August 19, 2026