Cavendish bananas

The UK Department of International Trade has confirmed that the UK and Cameroon have secured an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that ensures mutual continuity of trade.

According to a government statement, the EPA will roll over existing trading arrangements, allowing businesses to trade freely as they have been, without any additional barriers or tariffs.

The Department of International Trade said that total trade with Cameroon came to £200m in 2019, with the leading goods imported to the UK being fruit and nuts, mostly bananas (£27m).

Indeed, the UK market accounts for 12 per cent of Cameroon's overall banana exports.

The agreement will maintain tariff-free market access to the UK, while also guaranteeing continued market access for UK exporters, who sold £51m in goods to Cameroon in 2019.

'The United Kingdom is committed to supporting developing countries by encouraging growth through trade,' explained minister for international trade Ranil Jayawardena. 'The preferential terms for their key exports, such as bananas, will support jobs and economic development in Cameroon, and make sure British consumers get the products they want.'