Meme and KupeMuanenguba are top cocoa production basins in the country.
By Ngalame Elias
Cameroon’s cocoa production is expected to climb to 306,800 tons by the end of the 2024–2025 season, according to new data from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). This would mark the country’s highest cocoa output in over five years.
Records show the Southwest region( Meme and KupeMuanenguba) as the highest production basin.
The BEAC’s projection shows a 17,400-ton increase compared to the previous season, when the central bank estimated production at 289,400 tons. However, this figure differs from the one published by Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC), which reported 266,725 tons of cocoa sold during the 2023–2024 season, about 22,675 tons less than the BEAC estimate.
The BEAC’s forecast also comes a few weeks after a separate outlook from Fitch Solutions, which expects Cameroon’s cocoa production to rise by 6.7% in 2025 to over 280,000 tons. Based on ONCC’s figures, that would mean an increase of about 17,870 tons. Using BEAC’s data instead, the jump would be 19,389 tons.
Statistics of Cocoa Production Zones in Cameroon
Cocoa is one of the major commodities in Cameroon and plays a key role in the Cameroon economy. Over 500,000 Cameroonians are more or less dependent on cocoa production in Cameroon for their livelihoods. With this huge production of cocoa, Cameroon has become Africa’s fourth-biggest grower of quality cocoa and presently the world’s fifth-quality cocoa-producing country. Based on a baseline survey, it has been observed that nearly 50-60% of all export earnings came from the sale of cocoa.
The South West & Centre Regions of Cameroon with 43.40% and 36.81% respectively are the heavy cocoa production zones in Cameroon. Whereas, the South Region with 9.59%, Littoral with 5.87%, and East with 3.22% are the average cocoa producing areas in Cameroon. On the other hand, North West and West of Cameroon are the mild cocoa-producing regions.
Stronger prices, stronger supply
One of the main drivers behind the expected rise in production is the surge in farmgate prices, which have reached record levels. Since the 2023–2024 season, cocoa farmers in Cameroon — already known to be among the best-paid globally — have been receiving up to CFA6,000 per kilogram in some regions. Prices have stayed above CFA5,000 per kilogram since the start of the current season, offering a strong incentive for producers to expand output.
Cocoa remains one of Cameroon’s most important cash crops. The projected increase in production could bring in more export earnings, which are already substantial.
By the end of 2023, Cameroon had exported a little over 180,000 tons of raw cocoa beans, generating close to CFA360 billion, according to the country’s National Institute of Statistics.
Meanwhile, a growing number of cocoa processing plants across the country have helped diversify exports. In 2023, Cameroon shipped 49,411 tons of cocoa paste and 23,825 tons of cocoa butter, earning CFA97.4 billion and CFA55.5 billion respectively, the same report showed.
Rapidly Increasing Production of Top Quality Cocoa
The south-west region of Cameroon has dominated the country’s production accounting for around 40% of overall cocoa production. In recent years, the production has increased rapidly in the Centre as well. The rising levels of production of Cocoa in the different regions of Cameroon dominates the global supply chain of cocoa. As cocoa demand remains significantly high around the world, driven by the strong performance of the global chocolate industry statistics, Cameroon contributes a major role in fulfilling the demand for cocoa supply around the world- and it makes it known as the best cocoa producing country in the world. Cocoa is the biggest contributor to the country’s export earnings as cocoa production alone is responsible for almost two-thirds of the revenue generated in Cameroon and that’s a huge number.
To ensure the sustainable production of cocoa in Cameroon, ONCC/NCCB is the authorized body that ensures the control and marketing of cocoa. For clear and detailed information about Cameroon’s cocoa production, ONCC/NCCB is the reliable platform where you will get the right information along with the latest updates.