Soaring cocoa prices dampen volume sales of chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks to an extent, while malt-based hot drinks sees volume sales increase. Small pack sizes and promotions of larger packs support sales. Small local grocers continue to lead distribution, with deep penetration in local neighbourhoods sustaining sales.

While hot drinks registers healthy currently value growth, volume sales fall slightly, due to continuing price sensitivity, amid rising prices. However, in spite of soaring prices for coffee, it register both the highest value and volume growth. Varying pack sizes, including sachets of instant coffee and family pack sizes, sustain volume sales.

There is a sharp decline in retail volume sales in tea, though volume sales increase slight through foodservice channels. Continuing falling output from local tea estates, due to the ongoing Anglophone security crisis, continue to dampen supplies of black tea. Fruit/herbal tea fares better, registering overall volume growth, though this is from a low base. Fruit/herbal is also likely to perform best over the forecast period, as consumers appreciate its functional benefits.

It is an improving picture in in 2025, with coffee registering a slight increase in volume sales, in spite of surging prices. Instant coffee continues to account for most value and volume sales, though fresh ground coffee registers higher growth. Supermarkets are benefitting from the increasing demand for more expensive fresh ground coffee. The outlook is positive, though challenges remain. In particular, EU sustainability measures will increase costs for local exporters.

Sauces, dips and condiments in Cameroon is set to register another impressive performance in current value growth terms in 2025. It continues to profit from the fact that several product types are widely considered basic essentials for preparing popular local dishes, particularly stock cubes and powders, tomato pastes and purées, mayonnaise and herbs and spices. With inflationary pressures steadily easing, greater price stability and a nascent recovery in purchasing power have also helped to lif

Edible oils in Cameroon is poised to record healthy growth in volume and current value terms in 2025. While expansion continues to be underpinned by favourable demographic trends and traditional consumption habits, sales have been further buoyed by greater price stability as supply constraints have steadily eased amidst increased domestic production and rising imports. New launches, promotional activities and improvements in the distribution of different brands and product types have also helped

Sweet spreads in Cameroon is poised to register a substantially improved performance in current value growth terms in 2025, while retail volume sales have bounced back into positive territory following a sharp decline in 2024. Overall demand has been buoyed by greater price stability resulting from the increased domestic supply of vital inputs, most notably cacao and honey. With inflationary pressures steadily receding, a nascent recovery in purchasing power and more frequent discount promotions

Retail volume and current value growth rates for cooking ingredients and meals in Cameroon in 2025 look set to surpass those recorded in 2024. With inflationary pressures steadily easing, overall demand has been bolstered by greater price stability and a nascent recovery in purchasing power. Rapid population growth, deeply ingrained consumption habits and the increasing desire for convenience also remain key sales drivers. Additionally, high levels of innovation, marketing campaigns and improvem

Although current value growth for meals and soups in Cameroon in 2025 is projected to be up modestly on 2024, this is chiefly the result of price hikes imposed to offset still-elevated inflationary pressures. Retail volume sales are set to decline, which would be in keeping with the downward trend observed throughout the review period. It remains by far the smallest of the main cooking ingredients and meals categories, as there is no real tradition of consumption of such products in the country

Economic freedom has worsened and instability has been caused by the recent election, but public debt is low. Helped by slowing inflation and a healthy mining sector, the economy is set to accelerate, but reliance on oil remains considerable. Floods and cuts to aid are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, but Cameroon’s population is youthful and could lead to a demographic dividend. Internet use is low and innovation capacity is limited, but adoption of mobile technology continues apace.

In 2025, consumer health in Cameroon recorded notable growth, shaped by shifting health perceptions, tightening economic conditions, and the ongoing influence of digital culture. Everyday remedies such as paracetamol remained staple purchases, while strong demand for children’s cough syrups drove a solid performance within paediatric cough, cold, and allergy, particularly for multi-ingredient formulations.

Retail value sales of digestive remedies rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a mixture of lifestyle, environmental, and systemic health factors. High rates of gastritis, predominantly linked to the widespread prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, are exacerbated by one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world (over 10 litres per capita), a culinary culture rich in spicy and oily foods, and elevated stress levels arising from ongoing economic hardship and political uncertainty

Value sales of wound care products increased in Cameroon in 2025, supported by a rise in import volumes and the emergence of new consumer demand drivers. As the country remains dependent on imports for wound care solutions, import volumes offer a reliable proxy for market activity. Total imports surged from 474 tonnes in 2020 to approximately 937 tonnes in 2025, indicating both improved affordability and expanded availability of these products.

Retail value sales of cough, cold, and allergy (hay fever) remedies in Cameroon rose in 2025, primarily fuelled by strong and sustained demand within the paediatric segment, particularly for children’s cough syrups. Growth was further supported by a modest rise in demand for antihistamines, especially first-generation options such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which are valued for their fast-acting relief within 15–30 minutes. This is a key selling point in a market where fast results are highl

Retail value sales of analgesics grew in Cameroon in 2025, driven by sustained demand across a diverse demographic. Paracetamol remains the most commonly used pain relief medication in the country, primarily used for stress-related headaches, menstrual discomfort, and flu-like symptoms, with a status as a daily-use product. Its popularity spans both formal and informal retail channels, with widely recognised brands such as Doliprane, Efferalgan, Dolimex, and Panadol, alongside an array of generi

In 2025, traditional/herbal products recorded notable growth in Cameroon. This continued expansion is largely driven by urban cosmopolitanism. Cameroon's cities have become increasingly diverse with various ethnic groups, each contributing their unique traditional medical practices. This cultural amalgamation is enriching traditional/herbal products, resulting in a broader and more diverse range of remedies.

Retail value sales of dermatologicals rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by rising cosmetic usage and environmental challenges. A pervasive social media culture has intensified beauty standards, fuelling a surge in cosmetic product consumption. This is particularly the case for skin lightening creams, where usage prevalence is estimated between 26.33% and 46.33%. This trend has directly contributed to increased cases of dermatitis, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Consequently, demand for dermatologic

Retail value sales of dietary supplements in Cameroon increased in 2025. Growth is primarily driven by the need to bridge widespread micronutrient deficiencies and an emerging preventive health culture. The country’s carbohydrate-heavy diet, largely based on staples such as cassava, yams, plantains, cocoyams, corn, and rice, exacerbates nutritional gaps. For example, Vitamin A deficiency affects 18% of pregnant women, while nearly 40% suffer from anaemia, directly fuelling demand for supplements

Retail value sales of paediatric consumer health products rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a combination of demographic, behavioural, and nutritional factors. A key driver of growth is the country’s population structure, with 41.5% of Cameroonians under the age of 15, 29.2% below 10 years, and 15.3% under five. Although the national birth rate is gradually declining, it remains relatively high at 2.6%, ensuring a continued increase in the child population and sustaining baseline demand for pa

Retail value sales of vitamins rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a growing shift from curative to preventive health, a trend accelerated by the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public awareness surrounding immunity support, stress management, and energy enhancement has increased markedly, making multivitamins, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B complex the most sought-after products in the category.

In 2025, the weight management and wellbeing recorded strong growth in Cameroon, driven largely by an increasingly appearance-conscious culture heavily shaped by social media. While the formal market remains nascent, the sector is expanding rapidly, anchored primarily in the informal space.

There is expected to be high current value growth in baby food in Cameroon in 2025, with this value growth mainly due to price rises. Volume growth is expected to be more modest, in spite of continuing population growth. Dried baby food outperforms milk formula, both in terms of value and volume growth, with only marginal volume growth for milk formula. Price rises and also a significant increase in breastfeeding rates, supported by public health campaigns, dampen volume sales for milk formula.

Other dairy is expected to register a significant decline in volume sales in Cameroon in 2025, due to a sharp drop in sales of condensed milk, which is expected to drag down the overall performance of other dairy.

Drinking milk is expected to register healthy current value growth in Cameroon in 2025, though volume growth is expected to be more subdued. Powder milk continues to account for most value sales and is Cameroon’s most popular dairy product. Powder milk is a staple and is added to hot drinks, such as malt-based or chocolate drinks like Ovaltine and Matinal. Additionally, its affordability and widespread availability further enhances its appeal. Also, with adequate refrigeration being a major issu