Cameroon’s cocoa production could climb to 306,800 tons by the end of the 2024–2025 season, according to new data from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). This would mark the country’s highest cocoa output in over five years if the forecast holds. The season officially ends on July 15, 2025.

The BEAC's projection shows a 17,400-ton increase compared to the previous season, when the central bank estimated production at 289,400 tons. However, this figure differs from the one published by Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC), which reported 266,725 tons of cocoa sold during the 2023–2024 season — about 22,675 tons less than the BEAC estimate.

The BEAC’s forecast also comes a few weeks after a separate outlook from Fitch Solutions, which expects Cameroon’s cocoa production to rise by 6.7% in 2025 to over 280,000 tons. Based on ONCC’s figures, that would mean an increase of about 17,870 tons. Using BEAC’s data instead, the jump would be 19,389 tons.

Stronger prices, stronger supply

One of the main drivers behind the expected rise in production is the surge in farmgate prices, which have reached record levels. Since the 2023–2024 season, cocoa farmers in Cameroon — already known to be among the best-paid globally — have been receiving up to CFA6,000 per kilogram in some regions. Prices have stayed above CFA5,000 per kilogram since the start of the current season, offering a strong incentive for producers to expand output.

Cocoa remains one of Cameroon’s most important cash crops. The projected increase in production could bring in more export earnings, which are already substantial. By the end of 2023, Cameroon had exported a little over 180,000 tons of raw cocoa beans, generating close to CFA360 billion, according to the country’s National Institute of Statistics.

Meanwhile, a growing number of cocoa processing plants across the country have helped diversify exports. In 2023, Cameroon shipped 49,411 tons of cocoa paste and 23,825 tons of cocoa butter, earning CFA97.4 billion and CFA55.5 billion respectively, the same report showed.