(Business in Cameroon) - In 2017, Adamaoua, in Northern Cameroon, has produced 3,000 liters of honey, against 10,000 liters in 2016. This has been revealed by the regional delegation of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries in that part of the country. This represents a 70% decrease over the period.

“Fearing to be taken hostage or simply killed by kidnappers, the great majority of beekeepers has deserted the beehives. Furthermore, a good part of the honey produced has been directed toward Nigeria but, Boko Haram sect now constitutes an obstacle to its commercialization”, Dr. Moussa Yaya told L’œil du Sahel, the regional tri-weekly newspaper.

As a result of this decrease, the price of honey has substantially increased. Indeed, according to local sources, a liter of honey which usually costs CFA1, 000 is now between CFA3, 500 and CFA5, 000; a 350-500% increase.

“The price of honey has never been that high in the 35 years that I’ve been living in Ngadoundéré and selling it. We do not understand what is happening. It is the frenzy in markets! Some retailers have even abandoned the activity”, said one of the prominent honey traders in Cameroon.

BRM