Cameroon cocoa prices rise in June

Cameroon farmgate prices for cocoa rose by mid-June as production tailed off at the end of the season, producers said.

Prices ranged from 1,400 CFA francs ($2.36) per kilogramme of cocoa in the eastern region to 1,750 CFA francs ($2.95) in the centre of the central African country.

"While waiting for the launch of the upcoming cocoa season in August, the farmgate price will increase because when production decreases, buyers race to buy our cocoa," said Gentry Fuh, a planter in the Southwest region.

Prices were stagnant for most of 2016 but they started rising in May following a 40 million CFA franc ($67,363.88)investment from the Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council that has helped improve crop quality. The council is a private body that represents farmers.

Below are the average farmgate prices in CFA francs per kg,recorded throughout Cameroon's main growing regions:

Region District Price (in Price (in
CFA CFA
francs) francs)
per kg in per kg in
May June
Southwest Mamfe 1400 1450
Konye 1350 1400
Muyuka 1400 1400
Koumba 1450 1450
Centre Mbalmayo 1650 1700
Emana 1650 1750
Bafia 1500 1600
South Ebolowa 1400 1450
Sangmelima 1400 1450
East Bertoua 1350 1400
Yokadouma 1300 1400


($1 = 593.7900 CFA francs)