Cameroon’s Office National du Cacao et du Cafe (ONCC) reported a total harvest of 295,163 t of cocoa beans in the 2021-2022 season. This is up from the previous harvest of 292,471 t of beans in 2020-2021, and beating original projections from the ICCO. Cameroon’s cocoa production has been steadily increasing over the past three cocoa seasons, with the latest harvest marking the highest recorded tonnage in the last seven seasons.

Cocoa producers in the country are also being paid more for the commodity, according to ONCC figures. In the recent season, a kilogram of cocoa beans was sold at a maximum price of 1290 FCFA (circa USD 1.97), whereas in the 2020-2021 season, the maximum price for a kilogram of cocoa beans was 1210 FCFA (circa USD 1.83). Meanwhile, the minimum price has risen from 700 FCFA (circa USD 1.06) in the previous season to 750 FCFA (circa USD 1.14).

Cameroon is the world’s fourth largest producer of the commodity. The ONCC commented on the higher prices, saying it reflects the increasing demand for Cameroon’s cocoa. It has drawn funding for two brand-new processing plants, Neo Industry and Atlantic Cocoa, which are now operational alongside SIC Cacaos, a Barry Callebaut subsidiary.