Cameroon: Drought threatens sugar production

Continuous drought in Africa is threatening sugar production in Cameroon.

Agricultural experts said the country’s sugar production estimate for the year may be compromised.

Head of (SOSUCAM), the sugar industry of Cameroon in Mbandjock and Nkoteng, Louis Yinda said there has not been rain in the area since November last year.

He said the impact has been painful on the plantations, adding that the loss could be between 7 and 8 percent.

“This year SOSUCAM estimates, nevertheless a 124, 000 tons production. A modest expectation if we consider the production of 150, 000 tons of the campaign for 2014-2015,” he said.

The agro-industry had already settled for a production of 170, 000 tons of sugar by 2017.

He said SOSUCAM and other sugar industries in the country would not succeed in satisfying the national request in sugar production which stands at 300, 000 tons a year.

He explained that the government often depends on exports to fill the gap.

“A precaution intended to protect the agro-industry would disappear because of the anarchy in importation,” Yinda said.