(Business in Cameroon) - Beverage and spirits imports cost Cameroon a total of XAF94.3 billion over the 3-year period from 2015 to 2017, the trade ministry revealed. Figures showed that the country spent an average of XAF30 billion a year, with a peak of XAF33.9 billion in 2017 alone.

In detail, the department says, the amount earmarked for these imports in 2017 was up XAF4.5 billion compared to XAF29.4 billion in 2016 and XAF30.9 billion in 2015.

A significant part of the money went to import of luxury drinks such as champagne, a product of which Cameroon was the 6th largest consumer in Africa in 2016, with 155,431 bottles imported that year, according to the Interprofessional Committee for Champagne Wine.

However, the highest import of champagne since 2013 was in 2015, when Cameroon purchased 187,404 bottles. Statistics by the customs office showed that 43.69% of the wines and spirits consumed on Cameroonian territory come from France, 9.64% from Spain, 9.59% from the United Kingdom, 8.34% from Brazil and 7.34% from South Africa.

Brice R. Mbodiam