„Gnetum‟ (Gnetum africanum and Gnetum buchholzianum) is a leafy vine found in
Central African tropical humid forests. The leaves are harvested and traded principally
as a vegetable in Cameroon and neighbouring Nigeria. Manyu, Kupe-Manengouba and
Ndian divisions in the Southwest and Mungo in Littoral were selected as important
production areas where little data exists. Participatory rural appraisal tools were used to
gather information from producers, retailers, exporters, middlemen and restaurants in
the divisions and markets in Cameroon and Nigeria. Seven different trading channels
exist from the 2 regions, employing an estimated 1895 people (759 producers, 60
traders, 138 exporters, 141 importers, 267 retailers and 330 in support services).
Gnetum contributes up to 62% of producer‟s income, with an annual average profit of
598,729 FCFA. It provides up to 75% of retailer‟s and 58% of exporter‟s incomes,
giving an average exporter at Idenau an annual average profit of 481,708,750 FCFA.
The better organised Nigerian wholesalers average profit is almost double their
Cameroonian counterparts. Processing is generally simple and does not add significant
value or reduce perishability greatly. Whilst a regulatory framework for Gnetum exists
as Special Forestry Product, the majority of respondents traded without permits.
Increasing quantities harvested, combined with a lack of regulatory or customary
control of harvest coupled with no enforcement of permits, a very low level of
domestication and increasing consumer demand have led to an unsustainable trade
situation, indicated by a reduction from 336 tonnes from 2007 to 2008.
Correspondingly, the price has increased by 100 CFA per kg on average from 2007-
2009. Recommendations include linking actors in the Cameroon chains; domestication
programs to increase and more effective and enforceable regulatory and customary
control measures to allow this highly profitable trade and important income generator
to continue in the long term.