EU imposes ban on some agricultural products from Cameroon

By Amina Hilda

The European Union has banned certain Cameroonian fruits from entering its market. The ban is the content of a note from the European Commission in charge of phytosanitary legislation. It also affected other other African countries .

Cameroonian products concerned are; export mangoes, papayas, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , Gabriel Mbairobe had in a letter dated 18 April, 2022, adressed to the head of the phytosanitary police stations indicated that government is working hard to prepare technical files in accordance with the new regulations in force to ease exportation.

Reports revealed that, these Cameroon crops have been exposed to certain species and flies causing phytosanitary complications.

According to Sandra Besong, Regional Director at Entreprises du Cameroun, The ban on these commodities could as well be viewed from a positive perspective.

“I see it as an opportunity instead for us to capitalise on our local market, for us to be able to sell what we have locally, so that there will be no capital flight,” Besong said.

However, in order to regain the European markets, the ministry of agriculture alongside exporters, have been urged to improve on standards and norms. Fruit exports are said to constitute over 12.9% of the Cameroon’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.