Abstract

Rapid population growth in capital cities and other urban areas in developing countries is usually accompanied by serious problems of food supply and distribution to these areas. Periods of food shortage can be followed by an oversupply of foodstuffs and consequently food prices fluctuate greatly. Efforts in the past to improve the food supply system have failed partly because it is not clearly understood how the food distribution system works. This project will concentrate on the food supply system in the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé. It will investigate the origin of diverse food products, distribution channels, wholesale operations, transport, prices, profit margin, and food wastage.

Post-Project Summary

The study method consisted of a literature review; an inventory of markets in Yaoundé, both products offered and vendors; a study dealing with the vehicles used to transport the foodstuffs; a census of the vehicles unloading foodstuffs during a 24 hour period at the various markets of the city; and surveys of merchants, households, and producers. An analysis of the data revealed the types of foodstuffs available in Yaoundé; a profile of food consumption and expenditures on food; demand for foodstuffs and consumption volume; the characteristics of markets and vendors; the origins of marketed products; supply and distribution channels; imports; and the impact of an intervention by the public authorities through the Mission for the Development of Food Production, Market Gardening, and Fruit Growing. The major food supply problems were identified, as well as some possibilities for future research, e.g., urban self-sufficiency, the reasons for the underutilization of certain markets and the creation of pirate markets, etc .

Recipient Institution(s)