• Cameroon wins gold at 2026 Cacao of Excellence Awards
• Top sample selected from 191 entries worldwide
• Award boosts position in premium “fine flavour” cocoa market

Cameroon has secured the gold medal at the 10th Cacao of Excellence Awards, held on 20 February 2026 alongside the Chocoa Trade Fair in Amsterdam, marking one of its strongest international performances in the premium cocoa segment. According to the Ministry of Trade, the award was presented after 191 samples from 45 origins were assessed for quality, sustainability and sensory profile, with only 50 lots selected by an international jury of sensory and industry experts. Sample No.167, representing Cameroon, topped the Africa and Indian Ocean category.

The distinction places Cameroon among the leading producers in the “fine and flavour” cocoa segment, a market where taste, authenticity and sustainability determine pricing structures that are often higher than those of conventional bulk cocoa. The recognition follows a bronze award obtained in 2023, confirming an upward trajectory in qualitative competitiveness for Cameroonian beans on specialised international markets.

The Ministry of Trade disclosed that the national selection process was coordinated by the National Cocoa and Coffee Office (ONCC), which collected more than a dozen samples from the country’s main production basins. After strict physical analysis, seven lots were retained and submitted to the laboratory of Bioversity International in Rome for advanced technical and sensory evaluation.

Sample No.167 was ultimately selected for its complex aromas and refined taste profile, described as representative of a high-identity terroir cocoa. The prize was handed over by Cesar Magana, Cocoa Sourcing Director at BELCO and member of the jury, who referred to the winning entry as “a harmonious encounter between nature and human effort”.

The gold-winning cocoa was produced by the Société coopérative avec Conseil d’Administration de Production et de Commercialisation de Cacao (SCCAPCC) in Kye-Osi, under the leadership of Atangana Onana Francois. His work in post-harvest practices, traceability and agronomic rigour was highlighted during the evaluation process.

The award strengthens the positioning of organised cooperatives within Cameroon’s cocoa value chain. Enhanced traceability systems, improved fermentation and drying techniques, and structured marketing channels are increasingly viewed as mechanisms for capturing added value in export markets. Industry data from the competition indicate that out of 191 entries worldwide, only around 26 per cent received distinction, underscoring the selectivity of the process.

Strategic opportunity in a shifting global market

According to Cameroon’s Ministry of Trade, the recognition comes at a time when global cocoa markets are placing greater emphasis on origin differentiation, sustainability standards and premium quality attributes. Demand from high-end chocolatiers and specialised buyers has been rising for beans with distinctive flavour profiles and certified production methods.

For Cameroon, the gold medal consolidates its image as a terroir capable of delivering exceptional cocoa beyond export volumes alone. The achievement may support further investment in technical training, cooperative structuring and traceability systems aimed at strengthening competitiveness in higher-margin segments.

As international buyers increasingly prioritise quality and sustainability benchmarks, the Amsterdam award provides Cameroon with an opportunity to reinforce its presence within the evolving global cocoa economy while leveraging qualitative performance into measurable economic returns for local producers.

Mercy Fosoh, with Business in Cameroon