Chinese Goods Top Christmas Wish List In Cameroon

In Cameroon, as elsewhere, Christmas is often accompanied by consumer spending sprees on food, clothes and toys. Across the Central African nation of 20 million inhabitants, dwindling purchasing power and a lack of local manufactured goods have given Chinese imports an edge. Low-priced products from the Asian economic powerhouse are the most-preferred this Christmas.

December 25, 2011

For many in predominantly Chrisian Cameroon, Christmas without new dresses, playthings and extraordinary food is unthinkable. Family breadwinners must provide them all for their spouses, kids and other dependents to guarantee a happy and peaceful holiday.

Across the country this year, the traditional hustle and bustle that usually heralds the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ started off slowly. Until a few days ago, traders grumbled about poor sales, fearing they may end up with piles of unsold stocks of the seasonal Christmas goods.

Civil servants complained the government had failed to pay their salaries on time. Others said they were waiting for the last minute rush and a possible drop in prices. As a result, most markets nationwide only recently witnessed an upsurge in sales in the final days to Christmas.

Gifts made in China, the preference of many consumers this Christmas in Cameroon.

In the country’s most-populated city and economic nub Douala, the vast majority of Christmas shoppers prefer low-priced Chinese goods. Many said imported products from other parts of the world like Europe and America are far beyond their reach. They addedthat with as little as little as five dollars, it is possible to buy a dress and a pair of shoes.