Remuneration of Cocoa Producers: Stronger Force Needed

According to the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), 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 per cent of all export earnings came from the sale of cocoa. The country moved up two places to become the 4th largest cocoa exporter in 2023, capturing 7.6 per cent of the global market. This achievement was outlined in the report on the country's economic competitiveness published by the Competitiveness Committee, a unit within the Ministry of Economy. The rise was driven by a 12.7 per cent increase in cocoa exports compared to 2022. Most of Cameroon’s cocoa went to the Netherlands (73.8%), followed by Malaysia (9.4%), Indonesia (8.0%), and Turkey (3.2%).
According to the National Institute of Statistics, cocoa bean and derivative exports generated total revenue of FCFA 512 billion in 2023, up by 10.4 per cent from FCFA 463.6 billion in 2022.
Despite being a major export commodity for Cameroon, the remuneration producers get from their hard work still leaves much to be desired. The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, who has always been advocating for better payments for cocoa producers each time he has the opportunity, mounted the rostrum again recently to reiterate the government’s stance on improving cocoa prices for farmers. The Cameroonian Minister who led the country’s delegation to Vannes, France for the 20th edition of Chocolate and Pastry Exhibition Fair reiterated the need for a better remuneration of cocoa producers who are the pillars of the sector. To the Trade Minister, there should be equitable distribution of the cocoa benefits to different levels of cocoa value chain in order to render justice to the producers, whom for long have remained the least remunerated and consequently poor.
According to statistics of the International Cocoa Organisation, the world chocolate industry generates about 100 billion dollars each year. Unfortunately, cocoa producing countries get just a paltry 6 per cent of the fortune. To further make things worse, cocoa producers get a meager 2 per cent of the proceeds. This clearly shows that cocoa producers who constitute the first pillar of the value chain are neglected.  It was therefore the umpteenth time Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana is crusading for improved remuneration of cocoa farmers who should also lead a good life from their cocoa production activity.   
With a surge in farm-gate prices which peaked at over FCFA 5,000 per kilogramme during the 2023/2024 season, more people are opening new plantations while others are rejuvenating old ones. The growing desire to become cocoa producers among Cameroonians has even tripled since the mouthwatering price was implemented last year. This price motivation which has enticed many into cocoa farming will also mean increase in production.  Cameroon's cocoa production for the 2024-2025 season is projected to reach 276,900 tons, according to forecasts by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). This represents an increase of 8,000 to just over 10,000 tons compared to the previous season. This projection is still below the 600,000 tons target set by the government long ago. National production for now still oscillates between 250 to 300,000 tons. Infact, the Cameroon National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) reported that 266,725 tons were produced during the just ended season.
It is however regrettable that most of Cameroon’s cocoa production is exported in its raw form (beans) as the local transformation industry is still a far-fetched dream.  In the previous cocoa season, only 87,789,063 tons of national production was processed locally. With a weak local processing industry to add value to the product, producers have little or no voice on determining the price of the commodity. Business magnets and their partners overseas are therefore forcing their price down the throats of producers. Their price is therefore dependent on how the demand and supply of the chocolate industry in Europe and America.  Local producers, who constitute the first chain of the cocoa sector, should as a matter of urgency put in place a strong force to be able to dete...