Cameroon has launched a drive to align its shrimp industry with stringent sanitary and traceability standards required by the European Union and the United States, as authorities seek to regain access to lucrative export markets.
A two-day workshop held in Douala brought together industry operators, government officials and technical partners to address compliance gaps that have limited Cameroonian shrimp exports to Western markets.
The initiative forms part of the Fish4ACP programme, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization and funded by the European Union and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Participants focused on improving standards in key areas including product traceability, hygiene protocols and the use of food-contact materials—requirements that exporters must meet to access regulated markets in Europe and North America.
“We have shrimp of exceptional quality, by all accounts, but to access the most demanding markets, we must meet strict sanitary requirements,” said Victor Viban Banah, regional delegate for the Littoral at Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.
Cameroon’s shrimp sector is a modest but economically significant industry, generating an estimated $85 million annually and employing around 2,000 people, according to data compiled by Fish4ACP and national authorities. Women account for roughly one-third of the workforce.
Industrial fishing operations dominate production, contributing about 80 percent of total output, while artisanal fishers supply the remainder. Annual production is estimated at 4,200 tons from industrial fleets and over 1,000 tons from small-scale operators.
However, broader surveys suggest artisanal production could be significantly higher. A 2024 assessment conducted by the FAO and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries across 154 coastal camps estimated marine shrimp catches at around 6,000 tons annually, valued at approximately 30 billion CFA francs.
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Despite this output, access to high-value export markets has remained constrained due to compliance challenges. European and U.S. regulations require strict adherence to food safety standards, including full traceability across the supply chain and certified laboratory testing.
To address these gaps, technical sessions during the workshop were led by the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, which holds ISO 17025 accreditation for food and environmental quality control. The institution shared expertise on laboratory testing, certification procedures and regulatory compliance.
“It is on that basis that we were invited to share our experience and expertise with actors across the shrimp value chain,” said Suzanne Belinga, deputy director general of the center.
A dedicated session was also held for the National Veterinary Laboratory, which is responsible for certifying shrimp products prior to export, underscoring the importance of strengthening institutional capacity alongside private sector practices.
The push comes at a time when global demand for shrimp is rising steadily. According to industry estimates, the global shrimp market was valued at nearly US$69 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2033.
The European Union alone imported close to 395,000 metric tons of shrimp in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting strong and growing demand.
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For Cameroon, regaining access to these markets could provide a significant boost to export revenues and job creation, particularly in coastal regions where fishing activities are concentrated.
Beyond compliance, authorities are also looking to strengthen the broader value chain, including processing, storage and logistics, to improve competitiveness and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Fish4ACP programme, which supports approximately 1,800 jobs in Cameroon—mostly among young people—aims to enhance sustainability, productivity and market access across the fisheries sector.
Analysts say the success of the initiative will depend on sustained investment in infrastructure, training and regulatory enforcement, as well as closer coordination between public institutions and private operators.
While challenges remain, officials expressed optimism that ongoing reforms will enable Cameroon to reposition itself in the global shrimp trade.
“If we meet these standards, the opportunities are considerable,” Banah said, pointing to the potential for the sector to expand exports and contribute more significantly to the national economy.
The current efforts mark a broader shift toward aligning local industries with international benchmarks, as African economies increasingly seek to integrate into global value chains and capture higher-value export opportunities.
