Cameroon Cocoa bean Guide

Cameroon's cocoa value chain comprises both private and public companies that produce the beans. Producers of all sizes - small, medium, and large - sell to commercial intermediaries or cooperatives who then sell the beans to exporters at a margin. The beans are sometimes exported without further processing, and in other instances, it is "transformed" to fit the needs of end customers. 

Cocoa is produced in seven of the ten regions of Cameroon:

Southwest Region: 40% of total production

Centre Region: 30% of total production

Eastern Region: 15% of total production

Littoral Region: 5% of total production

Northwest Region: 5% of total production

Adamawa Region: 4% of total production

The Southwest Region is the largest producer of cocoa in Cameroon, accounting for over 40% of total production. The Centre Region is the second largest producer, accounting for over 30% of total production.

The following chart shows the area and share in production of cocoa in each region of Cameroon:

Source: Cameroon Cocoa Board (CCC) (2021-2022)

The species cultivated in Cameroon are not homogeneous. In a span of sixty years, the species has changed. Most of the cocoa trees in place are of the Forastero species, Amelonado (with yellow pods), and Cundeamor (with red pods). You can also have Criollo and Trinitario species.

The new species of cocoa cultivated in Cameroon called “Cacao Bresilien”, is a seed improved by IRAD (Agricultural Research Institute for Development) which ensures better productivity.

In Cameroon, cocoa is produced during the whole year but the high season is August to February, and the low season or inter-season is from March to July.

The following are the main export markets of Cameroon cocoa in 2021, with value, volume, and percentage of total exports:

Source: Trade Map

Total: 563 million USD | 308,000 MT | 100% |

Netherlands is the largest export market for Cameroon cocoa, accounting for over half of total exports in value and volume. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Germany are also major buyers of Cameroonian cocoa.

China is a growing market for Cameroon cocoa. In 2021, China imported 754 million USD of Cameroonian cocoa, up from 692 million USD in 2020. This represents a growth rate of 112%.

Cameroon is the fifth largest exporter of cocoa beans in the world. The country's cocoa exports are an important source of revenue for the economy.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC)'s Trade Map database, the biggest exporters of cocoa in Cameroon in 2022 are:

Rank Exporter Market Share (%)

1 Telcar Cocoa ~ 30%

2 Olam Cam ~ 25%

3 Ndongo Essomba ~ 10%

4 Ecom Trading ~ 5%

5 Cemoi ~ 5%

These five companies account for over 75% of Cameroon's cocoa exports.

Cameroon continues to see its Robusta output fall, decreasing to 165,000 bags in coffee year 2021/22, down 34.3%. With area harvested holding steady around 114,000-118,000 hectares in 2015-2020, the downturn is due a combination of factors including the age and low productivity of coffee plantations, the youth’s disinterest in coffee farming, the exhausting work required, and more lucrative offers in other sectors.

The main reason for the decline in Cameroon's coffee exports is that farmers are increasingly switching to cocoa production, which is more profitable. Cocoa is also less labor-intensive than coffee, which is another advantage for farmers.

The export trend of Cameroon coffee in terms of volume and value has been declining in recent years. In 2020, Cameroon exported 19,700 metric tons of coffee worth USD 31.6 million. In 2021, the export value remained practically unchanged, while the volume decreased to 18,900 metric tons. In 2022, the export volume increased to 20,000 metric tons, but the value decreased to USD 24.2 million.

Despite the decline in exports, Cameroon remains a significant producer of coffee, with a reputation for high-quality beans. The country's coffee is typically Arabica, which is known for its smooth flavor and aroma. Cameroon's coffee is exported to a variety of countries, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.

• Export declaration.
• Documents required for export: the order form, the final invoice, the EUR1 certificate for exports to the European Union or the movement certificate for exports to CEMAC member countries, the packing certificate (for exports in a container), the request or mandate for extra-legal work, and health and/or origin certificates (if the importing country requires them).
• Domiciliation of exports.
• Export duties and taxes.
• Customs export declaration.
• Validation of phytosanitary services.
• A certificate certifying the quality by (ONCC) National Coffee and Cocoa Office.

Cameroon levy fixed amounts of FCFA75/kg on exports of green coffee, while there are no taxes on exports of roasted or soluble coffee.

While for import, Cameroon applies duty of 5-30% (HS code 090111 ), 30% (HS code 090112) 30% (HS code 090121) and 30% (HS code 09012200)

Unlike most major producing countries (Ivory Coast, Ghana, to a lesser extent Indonesia), Cameroon has opted for the liberalization of the cocoa sector and the disengagement of the state. Massive support and direction from the state to producers until the 1980s has been re-oriented towards several public organizations: ONCC ( National Organization for COCOA and COFFEE) and FODECC ( Cocoa and Coffee sub-sector development funds), which have budgetary means to ensure certain public service missions or lead projects.

Volume

2020: 308,000 MT

2021: 330,000 MT

2022 (YTD): 342,000 MT

Value

2020: $563 million

2021: $600 million

2022 (YTD): $630 million

The Netherlands is the largest export market for Cameroon cocoa, accounting for over half of total exports in volume and value. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Germany are also major buyers of Cameroonian cocoa.

The growth in Cameroon's cocoa exports is due to a number of factors, including:

Increasing demand for cocoa beans from chocolate manufacturers around the world.

Improving quality of Cameroonian cocoa beans.

Government support for the cocoa sector.

The Cameroonian government has implemented a number of initiatives to support the cocoa sector, including:

Providing subsidies to cocoa farmers.

Investing in research and development to improve cocoa bean quality.

Promoting Cameroonian cocoa beans to international buyers.

The growth of Cameroon's cocoa exports is a positive development for the country's economy. Cocoa exports are a major source of foreign exchange earnings and employment for rural communities.

Source: Trade Map