Cameroon cocoa farmgate prices steady, rise in output expected

Farmgate cocoa prices in Cameroon, Africa's fourth largest grower, have held steady from mid-October, but farmers said they expected an increase
in output because fungicides have been delivered on time.

"The price of a kilo of cocoa is 1,500 francs," said Joseph Mama, a manager at a production cooperative in Nkolzibi, in the Centre region.

"We are still not sure of the returns on sales from mid-October, according to what the ministry of commerce has told us but production in November looks good because we are hearing that the fields have been better treated," Mama said.

Michael Esone, manager of a farmers association in Munyengue in the Southwest region, said he was also optimistic for an increase in production, but was concerned that farmers were selling their crop individually rather than as a group.

Another farmer, who declined to be named, said the individual sales enabled farmers to pay bills while waiting for the proceeds from group sales.

Cameroon's Centre and South-West regions account for 40 percent each of its cocoa output, the South 15 percent and the East 5 percent.

The cocoa season runs from Aug. 1 to July 31. The main harvest period runs from October to January/February and the light crop harvest period from April/May to June/July.

Below are the average farmgate prices in CFA francs per kg recorded across the growing regions:

Region District Price per Price per

kg in kg in

September October

Southwest Mamfe 1325 1300

Konye 1250 1250

Muyuka 1400 1350

Koumba 1330 1300

Centre Mbalmayo 1200 1300

Emana 1530 1500

Bafia 1530 1500

Sud Ebolowa 1325 1400

Sangmelima 1350 1300

Est Bertoua 1235 1200

Yokadouma 1175 1175