(Business in Cameroon) – Starting January 1, 2025, Cameroon has implemented a 20% export reduction on certain shipments of cocoa, rubber, and logs certified as “zero deforestation.” This measure, outlined in a circular signed on December 31, 2024, by Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé, applies only to products with certificates from the relevant technical ministry confirming compliance with anti-deforestation standards.
In practical terms, 20% of the Free on Board (FOB) value of certified cocoa beans, rubber, and timber is now exempt from export duties. This means exporters will pay duties on just 80% of the product’s value, lowering costs. According to the Ministry of Finance, this measure is designed to combat deforestation by encouraging environmentally friendly practices in cocoa cultivation, rubber production, and forestry.
This policy aligns with preparations for the European Union’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), set to take effect on December 30, 2025, or by June 30, 2026, if extended. The EUDR bans the import and sale of products linked to deforestation after December 30, 2020. Affected goods include cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil, soy, beef, and timber.
To comply with the EUDR, products sold or exported must have “zero deforestation” certification, adhere to local laws, and undergo a due diligence declaration. Exporters must submit these declarations through an information system managed by the European Commission.
Cameroon’s 20% reduction is part of its efforts to ensure sustainable cocoa farming, rubber cultivation, and forestry practices. These steps aim to align local production with European sustainability standards.
In August 2024, six Cameroonian cocoa exporters took a further step by signing an agreement to share georeferenced data on cocoa and coffee plantations. Supervised by the Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council (CICC), this platform will provide precise mapping of plantations, helping exporters demonstrate that their products meet European environmental requirements.
Through these initiatives, Cameroon is working to secure its agricultural exports while promoting sustainable practices to protect the environment.
