About Cameroon

Cameroon, on the Gulf of Guinea, is a Central African country of varied terrain and wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its biggest city, the seaport Douala, are transit points to ecotourism sites as well as beach resorts like Kribi – near the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls, which plunge directly into the sea – and Limbe, where the Limbe Wildlife Centre houses rescued primates.

The country’s name is derived from Rio dos Camarões (“River of Prawns”)—the name given to the Wouri River estuary by Portuguese explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries. Camarões was also used to designate the river’s neighboring mountains. Until the late 19th century, English usage confined the term “the Cameroons” to the mountains, while the estuary was called the Cameroons River or, locally, the Bay. In 1884 the Germans extended the word Kamerun to their entire protectorate, which largely corresponded to the present state.

Due to its high altitude, rich volcanic soils and ample rainfall coffees from Cameroon are of good quality. They are full-bodied flavor with a well-rounded finish with chocolate characteristics.

Coffee production is very important for the economy of Cameroon. The crop is grown extensively in the country, with Robusta more prevalent in the coastal areas and Arabica more widespread in the western highlands. The two varieties of Arabica cultivated are Java and Jamaica of which only Java is resistant to pests such as Coffee Berry Disease and rust. In 2014, Cameroon was ranked the 31st largest producer of coffee in world.

Coffee History

Coffee farming in Cameroon dates to 1884, during the German colonial era. The Germans went up to open trial gardens in Victoria, Ebolowa, Nkongsamba and Dschang. Coffee farming later extended to Yokadouma, Abong-Mbang, Doumé, Lomié and Akonolinga.  Around 1927, the coffee plant found its way to the West Region. By 1928, 200,000 coffee seedlings were planted in Dschang. By 1929, the development of coffee farming in Cameroon was thanks to René COSTE, a French Agricultural Engineer appointed to head the farming Station of Dschang. There was a high level of production in 1990 resulting in record export of 156,000 tons. Cameroon was ranked 12th in world ranking. When the production declined, it was attributed to the policies of the government and to the global economic crisis.The government has sought the help of Brazilian experts to suggest solutions, and it has also invested 750 million FCFA – about US$1.5 million for a five-year period as a relief package.

Coffee production

Coffee is grown in seven regions of Cameroon; West, Northwest, Littoral, Southwest, South, Centre and East Region.  Bamileke and Bamaoun are the high plateau areas where Arabica plantations are located. Robusta, which is a more dominant crop of the country, is grown in middle elevations in western region and also to some degree in Abang Mbang.  Arabica and Robusta are partly processed within the country. The production of Cameroon’s coffee is placed under the responsibility of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) and that of Scientific Research and Innovations (MINRESI). Under these ministries there are various projects to boost coffee production.

Coffee processing

Cameroonian coffee roasters process only 5% of national production of Arabica and Robusta coffees.

Coffee trade

The marketing of Coffee in Cameroon is placed under the control of the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), an autonomous government institution under the technical supervision of the Ministry of Trade (MINCOMMERCE).

AFCA Chapter

Chairperson

Mr. Bertrand Gako
Managing Director,
BULERIE DU MOUNGO Sarl,
P.O BOX 617, NKONGSAMBA-CAMEROON
Phone: +237 670 777 111
Email: bruleriedumoungo@yahoo.fr