Analysis of Agri-Food Trade Structures
To Promote Agri-Food Trade Networks
In the Islamic Countries
96
limited coordination between them, and even “coordination between individual projects is
low.”81
Cork and Wood
Timber exports in Cameroon dominate in their raw form. There is a need within the sector for
value addition through industries that can transform wood. Literature reveals that the wood
industry is still in a primitive state because log exports remain the most attractive activity for
producers. 82 Consequently, the quality of downstreamproduction remains low. Amove towards
manufacturing in the sector will improve the quality of wood and furniture exports and create
opportunities for local technicians in wood processing value chains to receive training. 83 These
areas of concern align with the 2017 OIC economic outlook which noted that “despite steady
increase and existing potentials in terms of human capital, energy resources, and market
potential, the current level of contribution to global Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) from the
OIC is far from being satisfactory.” 84 Consequently, the timber manufacturing sector can
alleviate the trade deficit in manufacturing products and take concrete steps towards improving
the currently “inadequate manufacturing production capacity in OIC countries.”85
Cotton
SODECOTON is Cameroon’s national cotton company and is a vertically integrated
conglomerate. 86 It operates in partnership with the National Cotton Growers Federation.87
While the cotton sector represents nearly a quarter of the country's agricultural exports, the
industry accounts for only 6% of total export earnings because of the declining share of
agriculture in total export. 88 However, cotton is still crucial to rural livelihoods and is the most
important cash crop for the North and Extreme North provinces which have the highest
concentration of poverty.89 Moreover, the cotton belt in these areas are not linked to significant
transport routes. Consequently, produce must travel by truck from the gins via roads and then
railroads that are not well maintained leading to extra delays and costs.90
Regarding agri-food trade, Cameroon's cotton sector could increase competitiveness through
investments in transportation infrastructure and decrease post-harvest costs through proper
quality grading. Quality Grading is particularly important because eliminating contamination
can increase lint prices up to 15%. 91 The results of quality grading are improved fiber
characteristics which impact “textile processing performance and value.”92 Cotton is a good
candidate for collaboration among OIC members; this could include Lake Chad Basin OIC
members (Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic) and extending to Benin, Burkina Faso,
81 Ibid.
82 Cerutti P.O., PoufonNgouhouo J. (2016). “The Technical and Political Challenges of the Industrial Forest Sector in Cameroon”.
International Forestry Review, 18(s1): 26-39..
83 Sama, M. & N. Ajong Aquilas,. (2016). “Determinants of Timber Exports in Cameroon”. International Journal of Development
and Economic Sustainability, 4: 21-33.
84 OIC Economic Outlook (2017) Industrial Development for Economic for Structural Transformation. SESRIC
85 ibid pp.8
86 World Bank. (2009). “The Cotton Sector of Cameroon.” Africa Region Working Paper Series No 126.
87 The Republic of Cameroon. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (2012-2013). Overview of the Status of
Cameroonian Cotton..
88 World Bank. (2009). “The Cotton Sector of Cameroon”. Africa Region Working Paper Series No 126.
89 Ibid. pp. v
90 World Bank. (2009). “The Cotton Sector of Cameroon”. Africa Region Working Paper Series 126.
91 World Bank. (2008). “Quality and Marketing of Cotton Lint in Africa.” Africa Region Working Paper Series 121
92 ITC (2013). Enhancing Africa's Cotton Value Chain for Asian Markets. Geneva: ITC.