Local cocoa producers, in this case those in the Lekié department, Center region, had a particularly fruitful month of November. In the space of 14 days, they pocketed a significant jackpot of 1.025 billion CFA francs, following two group sales of their products to chocolate makers, under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce. The first took place on November 8 in Batchenga, where a total of 370 tonnes of cocoa were sold, for a value of 779.8 million FCFA, at a rate of 2015 CFA francs per kilogram; the second operation took place on November 22 in Obala. There, 120 tonnes were sold by producers at a rate of 2050 FCFA per kilogram, for a total value of 246 million FCFA.
The major fact in this second sale is the record price of a kilogram of cocoa purchased at 2050 FCFA. And it was the Telcar company, the leading exporter of Cameroonian beans, which won against four other competitors on the day’s market. This price thus exceeds the previous record of 2015 FCFA/kg established in Batchenga on November 8, and thus consolidates the increase per kilogram in recent weeks, making the Cameroonian producer the best paid for some time in the world. In total sales made by producers in this department, 490 tonnes of cocoa were sold, for a total budget of 1.025 billion FCFA.
The Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana expressed his satisfaction with this success and highlighted the measures taken by the government to support cocoa producers. He also encouraged producers to maintain regular discussions with their purchasing partners in order to improve the quality of the partnership. Compared to other cocoa producing countries, Cameroonian producers enjoy a privileged position. Indeed, the official price of cocoa in Ivory Coast, the world’s leading producer, is set at 1000 FCFA/kg for the 2023-2024 campaign, while in Ghana, the world’s second largest producer, it is 1100 FCFA/kg. Thus, the Cameroonian producer receives a price twice as high as that of its Ivorian counterpart, and even above the country price currently applied. The minister, however, reminded producers of the importance of managing this financial windfall responsibly. He encouraged them to invest in improving cocoa production, quality and their living conditions. Stressing that the workforce is becoming increasingly older, he urged young people to return to agriculture and seize the opportunities available to them.
