Telcar Cocoa regains top spot as Cameroon’s leading exporter
Telcar more than doubled its export share after a sharp decline the previous season, while Cameroon’s total cocoa shipments and export earnings fell significantly.
CAMEROON – Telcar Cocoa has regained its position as Cameroon’s leading cocoa exporter after shipping 40,631 tonnes during the 2025/2026 season, according to data from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB).
The company accounted for 32.38% of Cameroon’s cocoa bean exports, ahead of OFI Cam, which shipped 24,394 tonnes for a 19.44% share, and SBET, with 23,223 tonnes and an 18.50% share. Together, the three exporters accounted for 70.32% of exports.
NCCB data put Telcar’s shipments at 40,631,173 kg, generating a FOB value of CFAF133.36 billion. The company had initially contracted 46,037 tonnes and pre-liquidated 43,074 tonnes during the campaign.
The result marks a recovery after Telcar lost its leading position during the 2024/2025 season following the end of its partnership with US agribusiness group Cargill. Telcar exported 30,497 tonnes that season, representing a 15.7% market share, compared with 35.1% in 2023/2024 and 35.8% in 2022/2023.
SBET moved ahead of Telcar in 2024/2025 after exporting 36,215 tonnes, equivalent to an 18.7% market share. The previous decline followed the end of Telcar’s nearly two-decade partnership with Cargill, which held a 49% stake in the company and had been a major international buyer of its cocoa.
Cameroon’s overall cocoa exports contracted sharply during the 2025/2026 season. NCCB figures show the country exported 125,469 tonnes, down from 192,013 tonnes a year earlier.
Export earnings also declined, with cocoa bean shipments generating CFAF400.92 billion in FOB value, compared with CFAF1.075 trillion in the previous campaign. This represented a 62.69% decline.
International cocoa prices also fell during the season. NCCB data, drawing on International Cocoa Organization figures, show London cocoa prices reached £5,786.67 per tonne before falling to £2,102.33 on February 27, 2026. The decline followed improving global production, increased export availability and weaker demand.
Despite the end of its partnership with Telcar, Cargill remained the largest buyer of Cameroonian cocoa, receiving 47,929 tonnes, or 38.20% of total exports. Olam International accounted for 23.21%, while Touton took 11.35%.
Europe remained the main destination, receiving 84.62% of Cameroon’s cocoa shipments, while Asia accounted for 14.24%.
The NCCB has previously described Telcar as one of the major exporters in Cameroon’s cocoa sector. (Oncc)
The NCCB has also reported that Cameroon’s cocoa sector continues to be dominated by a small group of major exporters and buyers. (Oncc)
Telcar’s latest export volume remains below its previous peak of about 74,000 tonnes recorded in 2016/2017.
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