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Estimating the informal cross-border trade of agricultural and horticultural commodities between cameroon and its CEMAC neighbours

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  • Nkendah, Robert

Abstract

Cameroon is the first trading partner of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) countries. Despite belonging to the same sub-regional organization, the formal trade ties between Cameroon and its neighbours have been hampered by a combination of factors that have spurred the growth of informal (unrecorded) trade. Interest in cross-border trade of agricultural and horticultural commodities between Cameroon and its neighbours has been overwhelming, but knowledge of its magnitude, determinants, and consequences remains inadequate, leading not only to undervaluation of figures in the national accounts, but also inhibiting formulation of appropriate policies and strategies to exploit its potential impact, particularly on food security. Using a monitoring method of cross-border flows of informal trade, the study aims to estimate the volume/value of unrecorded cross-border trade between Cameroon and its CEMAC’s neighbours and compare it with the recorded (official figures) trade. The results indicate that in 2008 a volume of just over 155000tons of agricultural and horticultural commodities has been shipped from Cameroon to its neighbours in the CEMAC for an estimated value of almost 38 billion CFA francs and representing 0.4% of GDP in Cameroon. The comparison in relative terms shows that informal or unrecorded trade represents 96% of the official and mainly includes agricultural and horticultural commodities.

Suggested Citation

  • Nkendah, Robert, 2013. "Estimating the informal cross-border trade of agricultural and horticultural commodities between cameroon and its CEMAC neighbours," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 133-144.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:41:y:2013:i:c:p:133-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.05.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fafchamps, Marcel & Gabre-Madhin, Eleni Z., 2006. "Agricultural markets in Benin and Malawi," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 1(1), pages 1-28, November.
    2. Galtier, F., 2009. "How to Manage Food Price Instability in Developing Countries ?," Working Papers MoISA 200905, UMR MoISA : Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (social and nutritional sciences): CIHEAM-IAMM, CIRAD, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, Montpellier SupAgro, IRD - Montpellier, France.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guimbard, Houssein & Le Goff, Maëlan, 2014. "Mega Deals: What Consequences for sub-Saharan Africa?," Conference papers 332514, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    2. repec:aly:journl:202055 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. World Bank Group, 2018. "Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa," World Bank Publications - Reports 30397, The World Bank Group.
    4. Walkenhorst, Peter, 2021. "Disability, Empathy and Trade: Evidence from Small-Scale Cross-Border Transactions in Uganda," MPRA Paper 112796, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. World Bank, 2016. "Cameroon Country Economic Memorandum," World Bank Publications - Reports 26416, The World Bank Group.

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