Cameroon cocoa production falls 20% to five-year low

CAMEROON – Cameroon’s marketed cocoa production fell 20% to 247,914 tonnes in the 2025/26 season, reversing the previous season’s strong growth as adverse weather conditions reduced output and limited volumes available for export and local processing. 

Data from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) showed production declined from 309,518 tonnes in 2024/25. The season, which ran from August 1, 2025, to July 15, 2026, recorded Cameroon’s lowest marketed cocoa production in five years. 

The decline followed a record performance in 2024/25, when marketed cocoa output increased from 266,710 tonnes to 309,518 tonnes, exceeding the country’s annual target of 300,000 tonnes. 

According to Cameroon’s Coffee-Cocoa Council, adverse weather affected cocoa production across West Africa during the 2025/26 season. Intense heat and unusually dry and strong Harmattan winds caused disease-weakened cocoa trees to drop their flowers. 

The weaker harvest was reflected in export volumes. Cameroon’s cocoa exports fell 34.7% to 125,469 tonnes from 192,012 tonnes a season earlier. Europe remained the main destination, accounting for 84.6% of shipments, followed by Asia with 14.2% and Africa with 1.1%. 

Domestic processing also declined. Cocoa delivered to industrial and artisanal processors fell to 95,946 tonnes from 110,388 tonnes in the previous season. 

ONCC data showed ending cocoa stocks increased to 40,447 tonnes from 13,947 tonnes. Including carryover stocks, total cocoa available during the season reached 261,862 tonnes. 

Farmgate prices ranged from 700 CFA francs ($1.23) to 4,300 CFA francs per kg, compared with 3,210 CFA francs to 5,400 CFA francs per kg in 2024/25. 

The decline in cocoa volumes also reduced export earnings. The free-on-board value of cocoa exports and processed cocoa shipments fell 58.9% to 580.4 billion CFA francs from 1.4 trillion CFA francs. 

Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana warned of further supply pressure in the next season, citing adverse weather conditions. He said there were indications of a “possible further decline in supply” of cocoa beans in 2026/27. 

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Coffee-Cocoa Council announced completion of a government cocoa buyout operation. The government spent 280 billion CFA francs to purchase 100,000 tonnes of cocoa beans from farmers facing a slowdown in exports. 

The purchase was aimed at supporting farmers as weaker export activity affected the cocoa market during the season.  

The council said the operation formed part of measures to manage the slowdown in exports, while production data highlighted the impact of weather conditions on Cameroon’s cocoa supply and market performance during the season. 

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