The balance of payment for 2014 reported that imports increased by 14.1% and up to FCFA 3 747.3 billion as compared to 2013.
According to the daily Mutations on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, these imports increased due to increases in oil purchases (+ 15.6%), transport equipment (+ 48.2%) , machinery and electrical equipment (+ 24.5%), pharmaceuticals (+ 33.6%), pig iron, iron and steel (+ 35.5%).
The sector most affected by the increase of imports according to the report remains the local track oilseeds. In 2014, the inputs of vegetable oils have increased by 30.5%.
This clearly explained the paralysis of local industry oilseeds, which lasted until December 2014. The actors of this sector, third in the trade balance, been denouncing for more than a year of massive imports, but above all uncontrolled that do not promote the consumption of local products, indicated Mutations.
Unlike oil, rice and sugar respectively dropped by 34.1% and 58% in favour of the local offer. According to the report, textiles and books, including used clothing also fell, a change of 5.7%.
As for exports, they relate mainly to crude petroleum oils (47.8%), fuels and lubricants (6.2%), wood and wood products (10%), raw cocoa beans (10, 9%), sawn timber (5.8%), and raw cotton (3.1%). The raw aluminum, crude rubber, fresh bananas and coffee, are also part of the export products that balance the trade balance of Cameroon.