Cameroon: Cocoa Bean Market 2025

Cocoa Bean Market Size in Cameroon

The Cameroonian cocoa bean market contracted to $X in 2022, waning by -5.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption faced a deep downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cocoa Bean Production in Cameroon

In value terms, cocoa bean production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 27%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average cocoa bean yield in Cameroon fell slightly to X kg per ha, dropping by -2.4% against 2021. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 96% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the average cocoa bean yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of cocoa beans were harvested in Cameroon; stabilizing at 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cocoa bean production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cocoa Bean Exports

Exports from Cameroon

Cocoa bean exports from Cameroon declined slightly to X tons in 2022, which is down by -3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 137%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cocoa bean exports reduced modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 161%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for cocoa bean exports from Cameroon, with a 31% share of total exports. Moreover, cocoa bean exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia (X tons), with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+10.0% per year) and Indonesia (+16.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for cocoa beans exports from Cameroon, comprising 28% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with an 8.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+12.1% per year) and Indonesia (+19.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cocoa bean export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to the United States ($X per ton) and Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cocoa Bean Imports

Imports into Cameroon

Cocoa bean imports into Cameroon surged to X tons in 2022, jumping by 769% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports showed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 2,404% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cocoa bean imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports posted a notable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 2,447% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Congo (X tons) was the main supplier of cocoa bean to Cameroon, with a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, cocoa bean imports from Congo exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Central African Republic (X kg), tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Congo amounted to +6.9%.

In value terms, Congo ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cocoa beans to Cameroon, comprising 97% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Central African Republic ($X), with a 2.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Congo totaled +3.4%.

Import Prices by Country

The average cocoa bean import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -33.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 28%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Congo ($X per ton), while the price for Central African Republic amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Congo (-3.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform