Cameroon

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Cameroon
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Food Security Outlook Update
August 2023
Persistently high staple prices to limit household food access during and after the harvests
  • Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are ongoing across much of Cameroon as dry harvesting continues in its second month across the southern zones of the country. This has resulted in improved household access to own-produced foods.  Moreover, the market supply of newly harvested crops is near average, leading to a typical seasonal price decrease and increased purchasing power for poor households. However, recent data collected by FEWS NET indicates that prices of harvested crops have not seasonally decreased as expected in Yaoundé and Douala markets, as well as conflict hotspots in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
  • Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to persist in Yaoundé and Douala through January 2024 as staple prices remain atypically high due to high transportation costs and the impacts of high international prices. The prices of maize, beans, cassava, and plantains in the third week of August were similar to those recorded in pre-harvest in June despite markets being increasingly supplied from rural areas. Additionally, imported rice and wheat flour prices in these cities continue to be approximately 30 percent higher than in 2020 and twice the five-year average. Although some poor households in these cities receive food donations from their relatives in rural areas, many will still rely on the markets to meet their food needs. 
  • Areas most intensely affected by conflict in the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) regions are expected to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) throughout the rest of the scenario period. Lockdowns and road blockages in July and August prevented trade between rural and urban areas, limiting poor households’ ability to earn income from crop sales and preventing seasonal price declines in urban and rural markets. Due to persistent conflict and high input prices, food availability and access to primary staples such as maize, beans, and potatoes remain significantly below typical levels. In the rest of the NW and SW, below-average household food stocks and incomes are expected to sustain Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes until September. In October, widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes will likely emerge as food stocks prematurely deplete and households begin relying on market purchases. Amid low purchasing power and high staple food prices, many poor households are expected to face food consumption gaps and re-adopt negative coping strategies. 
  • Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are ongoing, where conflict levels are highest in the Far North. Food access remains poor for many households during the ongoing lean season, and frequent insurgent activities continue to displace households and limit livelihood activities. In July, over 1,500 people were displaced to Mokolo in the Mayo Tsanaga division after multiple attacks and increased insecurity along the border with Nigeria. As seasonal flooding progresses, a small but increasing number of worst-off households in the region will likely face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes. Due to scarce grain stocks, excessive market dependence, and high food prices, many households will continue to face significant food shortages and resort to begging, borrowing, and consuming just one meal a day until the start of dry harvesting in September. In secure areas of the region, Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are expected through September, though some very poor households are likely to face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) or worse outcomes due to the impacts of seasonal flooding and high food prices.
  • In the East and Adamawa regions, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected throughout the harvest and post-harvest periods, with some households in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). Maize and legume harvests are almost complete, while the harvests of cassava and cocoyam are expected to continue until December. Dry harvest is improving household availability and market supply in these areas. However, in Mbere (Adamawa), Kadey, and Lom et Djerem (East) divisions, where many refugees from the Central African Republic reside, the prices of recently harvested food are higher than their five-year average. Moreover, market dependency on basic foods remains high, particularly among refugee households with limited agricultural opportunities. Despite receiving some cash assistance, refugee households have limited economic capacity to meet non-food needs and spend a significant portion of their income on food. 
  • Based on historical trends, El Niño years are not correlated with notable anomalies in rainfall performance in Cameroon, and the moderate EN observed over previous months likely did not have a significant impact on the 2023/24 season, which is progressing well in northern zones. Avg to above average rainfall between July and August has favored the growth of most maize and sorghum crops, which are now preparing to fill grain. However, field information gathered by FEWS NET in August suggested delayed flowering occurred in some localities that experienced a delay in the arrival of the June rains and overall erratic rainfall throughout July in Mayo Tsanaga, Logone-et-Chari, Diamaré, and Mayo Sava divisions. In Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga, there have been reports of maize and sorghum fields wilting irreversibly or failing to flower. Though localized production deficits are likely, improved access to subsidized fertilizers is anticipated to benefit overall production in the Far North region through improvements in application rates and doses, contributing to near-average regional cereal crop production projections. 
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Food Security Outlook Crisis outcomes expected in parts of the NW and SW regions during the harvest Cameroon June 2023 - January 2024
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Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
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Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security
Key Message Update Parts of NW/SW Cameroon to remain in Crisis during the harvest period Cameroon July 2023
Food Security Outlook Crisis outcomes expected in parts of the NW and SW regions during the harvest Cameroon June 2023 - January 2024
Key Message Update Food assistance needs expected to peak during ongoing lean season Cameroon May 2023
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Cameroon Price Bulletin Cameroon August 2023
Bulletin des prix Cameroun Bulletin des Prix Cameroun August 2023
Price Bulletin Cameroon Price Bulletin Cameroon July 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security Classification Data View all Cameroon classification data
Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification (March 2022 - September 2022)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (March 2022 - May 2022) and medium term (June 2022 - September 2022) periods.

Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile March 2022 (.zip) (ZIP) Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification March 2022 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: March 2022 - May 2022 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: March 2022 - May 2022 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.kml) (KML) Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification (February 2023 - September 2023)

Current (February 2023) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (February 2023 - May 2023) and medium term (June 2023 - September 2023) periods.

Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile February 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification February 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Current Situation: February 2023 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: February 2023 - May 2023 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.png) (PNG) Current Situation: February 2023 (.kml) (KML) Near Term Projection: February 2023 - May 2023 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.kml) (KML) Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification (April 2022 - September 2022)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (April 2022 - May 2022) and medium term (June 2022 - September 2022) periods.

Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile April 2022 (.zip) (ZIP) Cameroon Acute Food Insecurity Classification April 2022 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: April 2022 - May 2022 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: April 2022 - May 2022 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.kml) (KML)
Seasonal Calendar Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar shows the annual and cyclical patterns of key food and income sources in a country throughout the typical year.
Cameroon Seasonal Calendar
Remote Sensing Imagery Remote Sensing Imagery

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

View all remotely sensed imagery
Livelihood Zone Resources Livelihood Zone Resources
Cameroon Livelihood Zone Descriptions Cameroon Livelihood Zone Map, April 2021
Cameroon 2021 Livelihood Zones Map English (.PNG) Cameroon 2021 Livelihood Zones Map French (.PNG)
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