list of figures - Terry Sunderland

7.5.4 The scale of the trade
7.5.4.1 Amounts and values
The amount and value of rattan being transformed in the forest zone of Cameroon is
significant. In this respect, the rattan sector in Cameroon is similar in scale to that of
other countries in West and Central Africa (see Chapter 8).
Table 26. Amount (in metres) and value (in CFA) of unprocessed rattan consumed each month
per urban market.
Amount of cane used / month (m) Value of cane used / month (CFA)
Large dia. cane Small dia. cane Large dia. cane Small dia. cane
Douala 107,700 115,500 4,138,740 2,230,400
Yaounde 92,660 119,060 2,342,740 2,833,340
Bafoussam 10,800 7,380 374,500 187,250
Bamenda 5,700 20,990 250,710 450,150
Kumba 5,900 10,785 50,480 85,950
Edea 8,820 4,805 126,050 93,000
Limbe 3,315 2,510 56,000 24,500
Bertoua 4,880 1,040 97,600 10,400
Mbalmayo 9,290 2,550 124,000 25,600
Ebolowa 2,000 1,350 33,300 9,000
Sangmelima 7,275 5,480 84,085 76,975
Kribi 4,095 9,250 71,500 62,500
Mamfe 4,390 6,585 58,800 98,200
Abong-Mbang 1,760 300 35,200 29,800
Yokadouma 400 140 8,000 14,000
Totals = 285,805 307,725 7,851,365 6,231,070
Based on these figures, the annual consumption of rattan in the forest zone of
Cameroon is estimated to be 3,225,660m of large diameter cane with a market value
of US $157,020, and 3,692,700m of small diameter cane with a market value of US
$124,620. Thus, the trade in unprocessed rattan alone is an estimated US $281,640. As
this figure does not capture the value of finished products, nor the substantial
household and rural utilisation of rattan (and therein lies scope for future study) this
trade, as postulated, is significant.
7.5.4.2 Profitability
Despite the lamentations of many of the artisans interviewed, incomes and profit
margins from the transformation and sale of rattan products are relatively high. Given
that the average monthly income for an employed semi-skilled or skilled labourer in
most regions of Cameroon is 30,000 CFA, most artisans are comparatively well off.
However, there are considerable fluctuations in monthly profits, particularly during
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