Cameroon cocoa production drops 19.9% in 2025-2026 season

CAMEROON – Cameroon’s marketed cocoa production declined by 19.9% year on year during the 2025-2026 season, marking a sharp reversal from the record output achieved in the previous campaign. 

According to figures released by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC), marketed cocoa production fell to 247,914 metric tonnes, down from 309,518 metric tonnes recorded during the 2024-2025 season. The decline represented a reduction of 61,604 metric tonnes. 

The weaker performance followed an exceptional harvest in the previous season, when the country recorded its highest marketed cocoa production on record. During that period, farm-gate prices ranged from CFA3,210 to CFA5,400 per kilogram. 

The ONCC noted that marketed production figures reflect only cocoa volumes sold through official channels and do not necessarily represent the country’s total harvest, as the data exclude inventories and products traded outside formal marketing networks. 

The downturn extended beyond cocoa production. Export volumes dropped by 34.65%, falling to 125,469 metric tonnes from 192,012 metric tonnes during the previous campaign. 

Europe remained the country’s leading export destination, accounting for 84.62% of total cocoa shipments. Within Cameroon, the Centre Region maintained its position as the country’s largest cocoa marketing area, representing 44.54% of all purchases made during the season. 

Local cocoa processing activity also weakened significantly. Processed volumes fell to 95,946 metric tonnes, compared with 110,388 metric tonnes in the previous season. 

The 2025-2026 cocoa campaign officially ran from August 1, 2025, to July 15, 2026. With total marketed production reaching 247,914 metric tonnes, the season produced the lowest output recorded over the past five years. 

Before the record-breaking 2024-2025 campaign, Cameroon marketed 295,164 metric tonnes during the 2021-2022 season, followed by 262,112 metric tonnes in 2022-2023 and 266,710 metric tonnes in 2023-2024. 

The ONCC did not identify the immediate causes of the decline. However, industry stakeholders pointed to several persistent challenges affecting production. 

Among the most significant concerns are irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, increased pest infestations, declining soil fertility and the ageing of cocoa plantations. 

Industry experts said climate change has disrupted flowering cycles, reduced pod development and limited the availability of planting material required to establish new farms and rehabilitate older plantations. 

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