At pioneer Cocoa Days: Gov't renews calls for better producer earnings, market transparency….

The three-day event brought together government officials, representatives of the European Union, development partners, cocoa industry operators, cooperatives and other stakeholders to examine challenges facing the sector and identify pathways towards a more sustainable and profitable cocoa industry.

The forum was co-chaired by the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the European Union. 

According to the Ministry of Trade, the dialogue formed part of an ongoing process launched in Brussels in 2017 and followed the implementation of the Cocoa Talks and Cocoa Actions initiatives.  

The ministry said discussions focused on producer remuneration, value distribution, sustainability requirements, market access and compliance with emerging international regulations. 

A major concern raised during the exchanges, the ministry explained, was the continued imbalance in the distribution of value along the cocoa supply chain. 

Addressing participants at the opening of the forum, Trade Minister Mbarga Atangana argued that despite years of discussions, cocoa farmers remain at a disadvantage when it comes to sharing in the wealth generated by the industry.

“Nearly a decade after the historic Brussels meeting, the issue of fair remuneration for producers remains unresolved. The distribution of value continues to reflect the same disparities and imbalances, to the detriment of producers,” the minister stated. 

He further highlighted the impact of volatility on the international cocoa market, noting that a brief improvement in prices had failed to translate into lasting benefits for producers. 

“After a short-lived improvement in prices, we have returned to a situation where producers are once again under severe pressure because of prices that fall below any acceptable standard. I would not even describe them as fair prices,” he said. 

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, Minister Mbarga Atangana maintained that fair remuneration remained the most effective support mechanism for farmers. 

“The foundation of every support measure is the remuneration of the producer. If a producer receives a fair price, there will be no need for financial assistance. The basis of everything is proper remuneration,” he said. 

The minister further stressed the need for greater transparency within the cocoa market and questioned a system in which producers receive only a small fraction of the value generated by the sector.

“Transparency means a fair distribution of value. It is abnormal that the producer receives only seven to eight percent of the value generated by cocoa despite being at the origin of that wealth,” Mbarga Atangana added. 

Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Cameroon, Chargé d'Affaires, Philippe Lafosse reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the country’s cocoa sector. 

He noted that cocoa remains Cameroon’s second-largest source of export earnings after hydrocarbons and said the industry has the potential to create more value, generate opportunities for young people and contribute to inclusive development.

Compliance with EU deforestation regulation

According to the trade ministry, the discussions also focused on the European Union Regulation on Deforestation, which will take effect in December 2026.

The ministry said during the forum, participants reviewed the country’s readiness for the new European rules and examine measures already implemented by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, NCCB.

According to NCCB Director General, Michael Ndoping, the event showcased efforts undertaken to ensure compliance and safeguard access to the European market, which absorbs between 90 and 97 per cent of Cameroon’s cocoa production.

The Ministry of Trade noted that stakeholders from government, industry, development agencies and producer organisations used the forum as a platform to identify solutions. 

It added that such proposals are capable of strengthening sustainability, improving profitability and ensuring a more equitable cocoa sector for all participants in the value chain.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3839 of Monday July 06, 2026