Despite a significant increase in cocoa prices, chocolate prices have remained stable in Cameroon.
According to UNCTAD commodities price monitoring, cocoa prices surged by 136% between July 2022 and February 2024.
Despite the continuous rise in cocoa prices, consumers of chocolate in Cameroon have not felt much impact, as chocolate prices have stayed consistent.
However, producers are grappling with substantial losses due to this surge.
Expressing her gratitude, a store owner in Buea town, speaking to MMI, stated, “I have been hearing about the increasing price of cocoa, but my family hasn’t been significantly affected because we operate stores and are not involved in cocoa farming or trading. We’ve been purchasing chocolate for years, and the quality remains unchanged while the price remains steady.” She expressed concern about the potential impact on chocolate producers.
The situation is aggravated by heatwaves and shifting rain patterns, leading to a shortfall in harvests in West Africa, the world’s largest cocoa-producing region.
This rise in prices has had a ripple effect on consumers globally, who are already facing challenges due to inflation and a generational cost-of-living crisis.
Despite the price hike in cocoa, chocolate producers in Cameroon have not reduced their production, highlighting the essential role of chocolate in the economy.
The increase in cocoa prices is emblematic of the broader impact of climate change on society and the economy.
“It underscores the necessity for global consumers to address climate change and ensure that climate targets and mitigation measures, such as nationally determined contributions, are achieved,” remarked Mr. Carcamo at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Unpredictable weather patterns and diseases have significantly affected cocoa production in West Africa, which supplies 70% of the world’s cocoa. With countries like Ivory Coast and Ghana facing challenges like rain, drought, and diseases, the cost of chocolate has soared in West Africa and other regions, but not in Cameroon.
