The Shanghai Cooperation Organization International Agricultural Products Exhibition and Trade Center, located in Qingdao, aims to be the new platform for the promotion of Cameroonian production internationally. Mincommerce aims to open new horizons for its agricultural products, by placing two jewels of its region at the heart of this expansion: chilli and Penja pepper. This partnership is part of an ambitious program called “From Cameroonian farm to Chinese table”, which aims to strengthen the presence of Cameroonian agricultural products on the Chinese market. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana said that this program perfectly reflects the vision of President Paul Biya which encourages the opening of new markets for quality agricultural products from Cameroon. He said: “This is a great opportunity for our farmers to capture the huge Chinese market.”
The choice of Penja pepper, considered one of the best in the world, is not accidental. Cultivated on the volcanic land of the Penja region, this pepper benefits from the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), an internationally recognized label of quality. Its unique flavor and intense aroma make it a popular product in haute cuisine. On the world market, the export price of black pepper reached more than 4,300 dollars per ton and the price of white pepper reached almost 6,000 dollars per ton, an increase of about one thousand dollars per ton compared to the same period of 2023. According to the Ministry of the trade, about 60% of products are consumed locally and in neighboring countries, and 40% are exported to European markets.
Cameroonian pepper, for its part, is known for its strength and special taste, attracting more and more fans in China. According to consulting firm Fabrik Aliment, the global market size for dried chili peppers is estimated at $1.61 billion in 2024. It is expected to reach $2.16 billion by 2029, growing at 6.11% in the period projected (2024-2029). This same group shows that the local market is still informal and embryonic. It is bought by all social classes: families, restaurants, hotels, professionals and retailers. Sources of supply of raw materials, equipment and human resources are abundant. An analysis of the environment shows that it is very favorable for projects to grow and market peppers at an industrial level.
So these two products will become ambassadors of Cameroonian agricultural excellence in this new partnership. According to the minister: “The choice of chili and pepper as pilot products is not very small. These spices include the richness and diversity of our terroir. Their growing popularity in China opens up very promising opportunities for our producers. » The campaign goes beyond a simple export framework. In fact, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana emphasized that this partnership went further, integrating the processing and marketing of products, by creating a complete value chain: from the Cameroonian farm to the table of Chinese buyers. This model aims to strengthen the competitiveness of local producers and at the same time promote the prosperity of Cameroonian agricultural products in a growing market.
According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2023, total trade in goods between China and Cameroon (imports and exports) reached almost 1,178.1 billion FCFA, indicating an increase of 24.1% annually compared to 2022. This partnership could not only promote the export of Cameroonian pepper and chili, but also pave the way for other iconic agricultural products from Cameroon such as cocoa, coffee and even bananas. Qingdao International Center, with its expertise in agricultural trade and its strategic location in China, seems to be the ideal partner to achieve these ambitious goals.
