(Business in Cameroon) – On February 10, cocoa farmers in Abong-Mbang, a town in the Eastern region of Cameroon, sold 60 tons of cocoa beans for CFA5,035 per kilogram, bringing in over CFA300 million in total revenue. This sale was made possible through Ofi Cameroon, a major player in the country’s cocoa industry, which now accounts for more than 20% of Cameroon’s total cocoa exports. The sale was overseen by local authorities and the National Cocoa and Coffee Office (ONCC), as part of a group sale initiative designed to help farmers better organize their marketing efforts.
The price achieved in Abong-Mbang is slightly higher than the CFA5,000 per kilogram that farmers in Biakoa, in the Central region, received for their cocoa in a similar operation earlier in January 2025. However, despite this small price increase during the 2024-2025 cocoa season, the prices remain lower than the record levels seen in the previous season, which ran from August 1, 2023, to July 15, 2024. During that period, cocoa prices reached an unprecedented global high of over CFA6,000 per kilogram. The price surge during the 2023-2024 season helped Cameroon generate a record export revenue of CFA488.8 billion, a rise of CFA220 billion compared to the previous year, according to ONCC data. Although the current prices are lower than last year’s record highs, they are still favorable for farmers, helping to improve their income during this season.
The liberalization of the cocoa market in Cameroon has played a crucial role in this trend. Over the past few years, the country has seen an increase in the number of commercial players, boosting competition and driving up prices for farmers. Since 2019, the Cameroonian government has officially allowed group cocoa sales, based on reference prices published by ONCC, which oversees quality control and exports. This system allows farmers to sell their cocoa through groups, negotiating directly with multinational companies or local processors.
