• Cameroon processed 109,431 tons of cocoa in 2024-2025, up 27.7% from 89,672 tons.
• National cocoa output hit 309,518 tons, with 35% processed domestically.
• EU regulations and price premiums drive increased local cocoa processing.

Cameroon processed 109,431 tons of cocoa beans during the 2024-2025 season, according to data released by Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana on August 7, 2025, in Mbankomo, Centre Region, at the official launch of the 2025-2026 season. This represents an increase of 23,759 tons (27.7%) over the 2023-2024 figure of 89,672 tons. The volume is the highest recorded in a national season and contributes to the total cocoa beans ground in the major producing countries in Africa, reaching approximately 1.24 million tons.

The reported national output of 309,518 tons represents the volume of beans entering formal marketing channels. Total farm-level production is estimated to be 70,000 tons more for the same period; the difference consists of on-farm consumption, informal cross-border sales, and smuggled volumes, primarily destined for Nigeria. Domestic processing, therefore, accounts for about 35% of the traceable supply.

Installed processing capacity has expanded in four locations. Atlantic Cocoa (Kribi) is raising capacity from 48,000 tons to 64,000 tons through a CFA 10 billion investment approved on June 27, 2025. SIC Cacaos (Douala), a Barry Callebaut subsidiary, increased capacity to 50,000 tons after a CFA 5 billion upgrade in 2015. Neo Industry (Kékem) maintains 32,000 tons, while Africa Processing (Mbankomo) now operates at 8,000 tons. Aggregate national capacity has risen from roughly 20,000 tons in 2010 to over 150,000 tons in 2025.

Regional grinding volumes for 2024-2025 are: Côte d’Ivoire 764,000 tons, Ghana 300,000 tons, Nigeria 70,000 tons, and Cameroon 109,431 tons. The combined total represents approximately 41% of the four countries’ estimated aggregate harvest. Two policy drivers explain the shift: (1) EU deforestation-free supply-chain regulations effective December 30, 2025, requiring geolocation polygons for each farm plot, and (2) the transfer of price premiums for verified sustainable cocoa from European grinders to origin processors.

Constraints include limited port infrastructure for bulk cocoa butter (only Kribi and Douala are equipped), restricted access to the London futures market hedging by local firms, and the cost of national traceability systems. The EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative allocates €25 million to support compliance; the estimated regional requirement exceeds €200 million.

Idriss Linge