China-Cameroon Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $4.23B total volume •China surplus: $3.20B

ChinaCameroon

$3.71B

Exports (2023)

CameroonChina

$517.14M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$3.20B

Surplus for China

Total Trade

$4.23B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between China and Cameroon. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-Cameroon commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

ChinaCameroon Exports

$3.71B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
3.7% top product
1Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics
$137.77M
3.7% of exports
2Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles
$101.72M
2.7% of exports
3Motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessories
$83.26M
2.2% of exports
4Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars: side-cars
$81.75M
2.2% of exports
5Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries
$51.41M
1.4% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

China's export portfolio to Cameroon demonstrates strategic specialization, with footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

CameroonChina Imports

$517.14M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
46.6% concentration
1Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$240.77M
46.6% of imports
2Wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated
$122.01M
23.6% of imports
3Wood, tropical, n.e.c. in item no. 4407.2, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm
$45.83M
8.9% of imports
4Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, natural gas
$43.14M
8.3% of imports
5Wood, tropical: sapelli, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, thicker than 6mm
$18.02M
3.5% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

China's import pattern from Cameroon reveals significant dependencyin oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingfootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics to Cameroon, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $4.23B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: China-Cameroon Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $4.23 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $3.20 billion
  • Export Focus: China's primary exports include footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of subheading note 1 to this chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles, motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessories
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Cameroon include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, wood, tropical, n.e.c. in item no. 4407.2, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $4.23B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

China's specialization in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticscomplements Cameroon's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $4.23B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $4.23B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $4.23 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics and oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

China's trade surplus of $3.20 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of subheading note 1 to this chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between China and Cameroon represents a total trade volume of $4.23 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $3.20 billion.

Export Strengths

China's exports to Cameroon total $3.71 billion, with competitive advantages in footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, representing $137.77M or3.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Cameroon amount to $517.14 million, highlighting economic interdependence in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, with Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude comprising46.6% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between China and Cameroon in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023