Production of sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains estimated at near‑average levels in 2024
Agriculture contributes to only about 2 percent of the country’s Gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting the predominance of the petroleum industry. The agricultural land covers about 280 000 hectares, about 10 percent of the total country area. Of these, about 180 000 hectares are used for the cultivation of staple foods such as cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, groundnuts and bananas, and the rest of the area is planted with permanent crops and cash crops (cocoa, coffee, coconut and fruit trees). Other important staple foods the in local diet are chicken meat, wheat flour and rice, which are largely imported.
According to FAOSTAT, in 2022 (latest available data), the production of sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains amounted to near-average levels of about 104 000 tonnes, 74 400 tonnes and 41 000 tonnes, respectively. Following favaourable weather conditions during the 2024 growing season, the production of these crops is likely to remain at near-average levels in 2024.
Food imports forecast slightly above average in 2024
The country covers about 70 percent of its food consumption needs with imports, mostly through commercial channels. In 2024, with a population of about 1.6 million, imports of wheat and rice are forecast at slightly above‑average levels of 25 000 tonnes and 30 000 tonnes, respectively.
Inflation rate decreaed in 2023
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the average inflation rate was estimated at about 4.9 percent in 2022 and it decreased to about 2.5 percent in 2023, due a tight monetary policy established by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).