Wega Food, a white sugar producer in Cameroon, is preparing for a significant expansion that could influence the country’s sugar supply landscape. The company, which operates a refinery in Douala’s industrial zone, said its production capacity will rise to 700 metric tons per day within the next three months once its ongoing expansion is completed. The increase is intended to secure the national supply and create enough surplus for export, the company noted, reports Business in Cameroon.
In a letter to the Ministry of Commerce on November 14, Wega Food General Manager Christian Ngandeu said the expanded output would allow Cameroon to produce more refined sugar than it needs. He said the new capacity would give the country enough stock for domestic use while creating room for exports.
The statement echoes earlier calls from SOSUCAM, Cameroon’s main sugar producer, which has urged the government to strengthen controls on imports to protect local producers. Wega Food argued that SOSUCAM’s current production season, along with the Douala refinery’s existing capacity, is sufficient to meet demand from households and industries, making additional imports of refined sugar unnecessary.
Wega Food also said it has helped stabilize supply in recent months. Despite what it described as difficult conditions, the company secured several raw sugar contracts that allowed the refinery to maintain steady volumes and avoid the recurring shortages of previous years.
The company added that without its continued efforts to source raw sugar, Cameroon would still be dealing with shortages similar to those seen in the past. It said its operating model has helped keep prices stable for families and agro-industrial buyers.
Industry figures estimate that available capacity now exceeds 100,000 metric tons, including around 70,000 tons from the Douala refinery and roughly 30,000 tons imported to meet short-term needs. This supply sits in a market where annual demand approaches 300,000 tons, a longstanding gap that has prompted the government to authorize imports. Wega Food’s push for self-sufficiency—and eventually exports—comes as the market continues to face significant pressure.
Several obstacles remain for the planned capacity boost to meaningfully transform the sector. The company must address ongoing labor issues to ensure smooth harvesting and processing, while the government must clarify its policy on balancing support for local producers with supply security for households and industries.
The long-term stability of Cameroon’s sugar sector will depend on how effectively the country manages production levels, pricing, and investment.
