list of figures - Terry Sunderland

artisans with the highest incomes. Both these latter cities also have large
concentrations of ex-patriots.
7.6.5 An industry in decline?
This study has concluded that the rattan sector in Cameroon is currently in some
decline. However, it should be noted that this decline is currently only relative to the
quantities of rattan being transformed and not currently in terms of a decline in the
overall value of the sector. The reason for this is simple and unanimously agreed upon
by the artisans interviewed for this study. At present, demand is such that local
scarcity has forced gradual increases in the price of unprocessed cane which are
currently being absorbed by the consumer. Whilst the quantities of finished products
are decreasing, the corresponding increases in the price of raw material, which are
then passed to the consumer, is not as yet manifesting in a significant reduction in
income for most artisans. As such, most enterprises remain profitable. Obviously, this
situation cannot continue ad infinitum and eventually, if present harvest rates
continue, the price of raw material will exceed more than the “willingness to pay” of
most consumers.
However, some decrease in profitability has been identified by this survey. This is not
ultimately due to scarcity of supplies, but to increased competition. Price wars
between enterprises have recently been in operation, particularly in the large urban
markets, and these have led to a small reduction in real incomes as enterprises struggle
to maintain competitiveness. One positive action that most artisans identified that
could have an effect on this is the establishment of a rattan union that would be
responsible for setting a pricing framework for standard finished products. This would
then avoid being under-cut by competitors. Whilst, in theory, this is a wonderful idea
from the perspective of artisan enterprises, given the variation in the quality of
finished products by most artisans, this might not be workable in practice.
Changes in personal circumstances also account for the decline in rattan enterprise.
For example, some artisans stated that as they get older, they begin to rely on other
sources of income. Other artisans are somewhat peripatetic in their activities and
revert to part- or full-time farming, particularly as commodities such as cocoa and
coffee have increased in value in recent years. Without question, despite the fiscal
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