The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, officially launched Cameroon’s 2026/2027 cocoa season on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Yaoundé City Hall, announcing an overwhelmingly positive outlook for the nation’s cocoa sector.
The event brought together key government figures, including Gabriel Mbaïrobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside parliamentarians and value chain stakeholders. This launch marked the conclusion of two days of high-level consultations and followed the Forum on Producer Remuneration, where key recommendations were presented to guide the new agricultural year.
Evaluating current conditions using a traffic light system, Minister Mbarga Atangana revealed that four out of five key indicators are firmly in the green. International market trends have turned favorable over the past two months, with rising prices driven by global supply adjustments. Although European demand remains sluggish, accelerating consumption across populous Asian markets presents promising commercial opportunities.
Furthermore, domestic processing capacity has expanded significantly to approximately 250,000 tons, nearly matching last season’s total marketed volume, complemented by an additional 200,000-ton capacity in neighboring Nigeria. This robust processing infrastructure guarantees reliable, proximate demand for local producers.
Cameroon has also achieved major milestones regarding bean quality and regulatory compliance.
Continuous efforts by public authorities and industry professionals have elevated Cameroonian cocoa into one of the world’s most sought-after origins, conferring a strong competitive edge on international markets. Additionally, the country is fully prepared to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation – EUDR. Thanks to national initiatives focusing on producer identification, parcel geolocation, and comprehensive traceability, Cameroonian cocoa maintains unimpeded access to European buyers.
Despite these achievements, the Minister highlighted one area requiring heightened vigilance: the equitable distribution of value along the supply chain. Representing the sole indicator currently set to orange, the division of generated wealth continues to leave primary producers at a financial disadvantage relative to other actors.
To remedy this imbalance, Minister Mbarga Atangana called for complete domestic market transparency, mirroring the transparency demanded of global markets, and pledged ongoing government intervention to guarantee fair compensation for farming communities.
Ultimately, the 2026/2027 campaign opens under highly encouraging auspices for Cameroonian cocoa farmers. Supported by rising global prices, expanding regional processing capacity, premium product positioning, and full regulatory compliance, the sector is well-positioned for strong economic performance.
As the government works to resolve remaining income distribution disparities, the newly launched season promises increased stability and profitability across the entire value chain.
