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The Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (Minepia) approved a development plan on June 18, 2024, to enhance national milk production over 11 years (2024-2035). Valued at CFA305.7 billion, this strategic plan aims to increase Cameroon’s milk production from less than 200,000 tons to 1,146,600 tons by 2035.
The plan, developed over two years by the Cameroon Veterinary Offices and Pharmacies Society (Caphavet) and funded by German cooperation (GIZ), encompasses six programs: genetics (CFA111.5 billion), feed (CFA72.7 billion), housing, health and welfare (CFA92.3 billion), milk processing (CFA14.6 billion), research and development (CFA5 billion), and governance (CFA9.6 billion).
According to the Ministry of Livestock, this plan involves all stakeholders in the dairy sector, including the government, breeders, processors, collectors, distributors, and consumers. “Through this plan, the government aims to significantly reduce dairy product imports,” explained Dr. Albert Douffissa, who coordinated the plan’s development.
In 2022, Cameroon’s milk production was 173,000 tons, according to the Ministry of Livestock. However, the National Confederation of Cattle Breeders of Cameroon (Cnebcam) estimates the national supply at 185,570 tons per year, far below the demand of around 300,000 tons. This results in an annual deficit of nearly 120,000 tons, partially offset by dairy product imports.
The latest report from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on foreign trade shows that 20,596.1 tons of milk and derivatives were imported for CFA40.6 billion, and 17,217.9 tons of powdered or concentrated milk were imported for CFA35 billion by industries in 2023 to fill the gap in national production.
To reduce this deficit, Cameroon acquired 495 dairy cows from France between 2020 and 2023 as part of the Livestock Development Project (Prodel), funded by the World Bank with CFA78.4 billion over six years.