(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon exported 6,276 tons of cocoa beans in the third quarter of 2024, generating CFA12.5 billion, according to the Directorate General of Customs (DGD). This volume represents a sharp decline of 15,448 tons (71%) compared to the 21,724 tons exported during the same period in 2023. The value of exports also dropped by CFA10.4 billion (71%) year-on-year.
The customs department did not explain this decline. However, it comes amid soaring cocoa bean prices, which have reached a record high of CFA6,000 per kilogram this year. During the official launch of the 2024-2025 cocoa season in August, Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana stated that “all indicators point to either an improvement or, at the very least, the preservation of these gains.” He highlighted the recognized quality of Cameroonian cocoa, which is increasingly sought after in the global chocolate industry, and the clear imbalance between reduced supply and strong demand. The minister urged cocoa sector stakeholders to continue their efforts to maintain and improve the quality of Cameroonian cocoa while enhancing the product’s brand image on international markets.
According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the country exported 180,095 tons of cocoa beans, which is 55,445 tons less than in 2022. This generated over CFA359 billion, representing a 12.9% increase year-on-year, accounting for 12% of Cameroon’s total export earnings in 2023.
