Cameroon should not import sugar in 2024, if we stick to the forecasts of the Ministry of Commerce, following a consultation chaired on November 23 by Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, in the presence of city officials. operating in the production and refining of sugar. As the end-of-year holidays approach, a period of great consumption, and with a view to supplying the local market with this commodity, the boss of the Moroccan Trade company was keen to make an assessment of the national supply, in relation to demand, in the presence of sector operators. It appears that for the current year 2023, Cameroon has imported 280,000 tonnes of sugar, while national demand is around 225,000 tonnes. Taking into account import reserves, i.e. 55,000 tonnes, and local production carried out by the Cameroon Sugar Company (Sosucam) which amounts to 86,500 tonnes, the availability of sugar for 2023 leaves a forecast stock of more of 135,000 tonnes of sugar at 1is January 2024.
It goes without saying that the sector will start the year with total reserves of 135,000 tonnes, added to these, production forecasts from Sosucam, projected at 100,000 tonnes for the next campaign. The national sugar producer would justify this increase in its production thanks to its recovery plan, which provides for the increase in harvest areas, the improvement of plot treatments, the renewal of its equipment, the strengthening of mechanical cutting aimed at to improve the volumes of cane transported, and to facilitate crushing, as well as the upgrading of factories for a significant reduction in losses and an increase in sugar production performance/day.
The sugar market was marked by the increase in sugar costs on the international market, particularly during the second half of the year with a direct impact not only on sugar prices on the national market, but also on the realization quotas allocated to imports. In order to meet the ever-increasing national demand, the Minister of Commerce recommended that city managers work together with absolute transparency. He also noted the need for regulation of the sugar market with the aim of guaranteeing access to this commodity for all consumers at the right price, the main objective of the policy of combating the high cost of living advocated by the Head of the State.
