Minister says Cameroon’s admission among best cocoa exporting countries fruit of hard work.

He made the declaration in Yaounde yesterday. This was during a joint press conference organised by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Cameroon got admitted into the prestigious club during an event in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on June 14, 2023. The admission made Cameroon the joint first heavy cocoa-producing African country to integrate the system alongside Ghana which also joined after the Antananarivo gathering. 

Before June 14, the committee was only made up of Southern American countries excluding Madagascar and Sao Tome and Principe who were part of the group but not as heavy producers as Cameroon and Ghana. 

Fruit of organised efforts

According to Minister Mbarga Atangana, Cameroon attained the level thanks to a 10-year investment anchored on five-main pillars including certification, vulgarisation of best practices, and the professionalisation of producers. 

In the domain of certification, Minister Mbarga Atangana revealed that works in the domain kick-started from the base in 2012 with the certification of Cameroonian cocoa in collaboration with cocoa farmers via the certification program. He stated that as of 2023, more than half of Cameroonian cocoa is certified.

In terms of vulgarising best practices aimed at promoting the production of good quality cocoa beans produce, the minister said between 2016 and 2018, more than 10,000 cocoa drying facilities had been rehabilitated by the government notably in the South West Region. 

This system which facilitates fermentation and drying; enabled Cameroon to successfully fight against the “smoky cocoa” syndrome which was witnessed in recent years due to poor fermentation and drying facilities. 

The task in this sector, the minister emphasised, was also fully attained through the putting in place of post-harvest treatment centers in production basins in partnership with the Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council, CICC. 

He also stated that efforts are also being made in terms of ensuring sustainability through the New Generation program which sees a total of at least 200 new young farmers, 30% of whom are women, joining the cocoa farming chain to ensure its sustainability. 

Professionalisation through the proper organization of farmers in cooperatives, permanent training and organized commercialisation also ensured the attaining of the now highly applauded level of success. 

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, in a reaction during the presser, corroborated the Trade boss. 

He said applaudable efforts have been made by all actors to ensure the Cameroonian cocoa production sector is well organized, hence the international recognition.

The Ministers emphasised that for Cameroon to maintain the now almost superior ranking globally and even attain its goal of becoming the world’s number one in producing good quality cocoa, such efforts must be consolidated. 

Expected boost in cost of Cameroonian cocoa 

In a declaration during the presser, Minister Mbarga Atangana said the recent global recognition will have numerous advantages on the local market including openings for farmers to have possibilities of selling their produce at more profitable prices.

He said with Cameroonian cocoa now selling at least 1,300 FCFA and a maximum of close to 1,600 FCFA per kilogram, the recent recognition could see Cameroonian Cocoa now selling at a price of 1,800 FCFA to 1,900 FCFA per kg like the case with Madagascan cocoa beans. 

He detailed that efforts will not only end at attaining the estimated 1900frs but will be intensified to ensure Cameroon reaches the prestigious and highly profitable rate of 2000FCFA per kg. 

“The recognition in Antananarivo is going to be a big boost for Cameroonian producers. We are hoping to see our beams reaching a level where we can sell for as much as 2000FCFA per kg,” Mbarga Atangana said.