According to data presented by the Minister of Agriculture Gabriel Mbaïrobe, during the unveiling of the Harmonized Framework for identifying risk areas and populations living in food and nutritional insecurity on May 3 in Yaoundé, imports of animal proteins in Cameroon increased by 23% YoY to 268,000 tons in 2022.

While the official specified that 90% of these imports were mainly frozen fish, he indicated that the production of the local animal industry has improved over the period under review. Meat and offal production in 2022 was estimated at 327,400 tons, up 8% compared to 2021 (304,500 tons). Local fish production was 233,000 tons and table egg production was 107,100 tons (+2% yoy). Meanwhile, milk production increased by 5% yoy to 173,600 tons thanks to "the fresh impetus given to mini-dairies with the assistance of the private sector," Minister Gabriel Mbaïrobe said. 

The official, however, noted that “agricultural and livestock production has decreased overall since the war in Ukraine began. This gloomy international context has pushed about 3 million people into a food crisis.”

L.A.