BEAC projects a decline in cocoa production

Cocoa production which peaked at 232 000 tonnes this year could decrease by approximately 20,000 tons to stabilize around 210 000 in 2016, according to Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC).

This proposed reduction would correspond to the period of vegetative rest of orchards that occurs every five years.

These downward projections from the Institute of Monetary Emission in Central Africa affirm those expressed by the National Office of Cocoa and Coffee (ONNC), a few days ago.

However, some observers believe that this "decline is not automatic", because "the entry into production of the new orchards could instead improve the national cocoa production."

A situation which would take explanation especially as the increase in the price of cocoa which moved from 800 FCFA on average five years ago to 1500 FCFA. This was during the past cocoa season encouraged producers to extend their fields.

Launched last August, the 2015/2016 cocoa campaign which will go on until July next year, will make an assessment on the government proposal to reach 600,000 tons annual cocoa production by 2020.