Farmers to Benefit as Chocolate Company Sets Cocoa Price at 5,200 FCFA/kg

The farm gate price for cocoa in Cameroon has been set at 5,200 FCFA per kilogramme, as announced by Minister of Trade Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana. This price is the result of a deal between a chocolate company and a local cooperative that specialises in producing high-quality cocoa.

Minister Atangana stated, “As part of the government’s drive to increase the value of Cameroonian beans on the international market, a major operator in the world chocolate industry has just signed a major purchase contract with a local cooperative specializing in the production of top-of-the-range cocoa, for a farmgate price of 5,200 FCFA/kg.” However, he did not disclose the name of the chocolate company or the local cooperative involved in the agreement.

According to Atangana, this deal, which comes shortly after the launch of the 2024/2025 cocoa season, reinforces the prestige of Cameroonian cocoa on the international market and revives confidence in the industry regarding the quality of its cocoa. “It invites all producers and their organisations to draw inspiration from this new partnership model for a remuneration commensurate with their aspirations in return for the marketing of a defect-free commodity aiming for qualitative excellence—a sine qua non for consolidating the last season’s achievements,” he added.

Due to a decline in cocoa production across West Africa, Cameroon has seen a surge in cocoa prices over the past year. The price per kilogram, which used to be around 400 FCFA, has now risen to 5,200 FCFA.

While Cameroon ranks among the largest cocoa producers globally, insecurity in its Southwest region—historically responsible for about 60% of the country’s cocoa production—has negatively impacted output. Currently, some farmers are in the harvesting phase, following the minister’s launch of the 2024-2025 farming season two months ago.

Mimi Mefo Info