(Business in Cameroon) - Cameroon exported a total of 13,381 tons of banana in April this year, the lowest volume since the year began, the fruit’s association (Assobacam) said.

In detail and compared to the same period last year, PHP, local subsidiary of French Compagnie fruitière de Marseille and market leader, shipped 12,427 tons over, up 424 tons while Boh Plantations shipped 954 tons, up 82 tons from 872 tons.

But overall volume in April 2019 is 6,500 tons down compared to 17,638 tons exported in April 2019; a drastic decrease caused by non-activity since September 2018 of State-owned CDC which has suspended shipments due to the crisis in the Anglophone regions where the company owns plantations.

The company estimates turnaround financing needs at XAF29 billion. With 22,000 employees, this agro-industrial unit is the country's second largest employer, after the public administration.

Brice R. Mbodiam