The market price rose to FCFA 1500 per kilogram, instilling hope to farmers for a better season
Cocoa producers of the South West region are feeling a sigh of relief following the rise of the price of Cocoa beans in the past weeks. The price per kilogram now stands at FCFA 1500 in the most remote areas, while at the urban centers price per kilogram is higher. The hopes of farmers at the end of 2025 were dashed following the drastic drop of price to less than FCFA 1000 per kilogram. Most farmers who feel frustrated by the high cost of pesticides and fungicides, had resorted to other forms of mixed farming to make earns meet.
The rice in the price has restored hope in the farmers, and motivated them to focused on their farms. Farmers remain confident that the 2026 Cocoa season will be fruitful as they hope for higher prices in the months ahead.
Cocoa exporters to Nigeria disclosed that the price per kilogram of Cocoa in Cameroon now surpasses that of Nigeria, reason why Cameroon Cocoa for the past weeks is sold in Douala and not Nigeria again. The President of the South West farmers Cooperative Union, SOWEFCU, Esapa Patrick Enyong, has called on farmers to focused on quality production and drying. According to Esapa, well dried and smoke free Cocoa beans is a guarantee to good price in the world market. He said there is competition in the world market and only high quality Cocoa beans attracts good price. SOWEFCU, he said has as responsibility to train farmers on the good practices, supply quality farms inputs to farmers through their different cooperatives, and coordinate the marketing of Cocoa of the different cooperatives. The President expressed confidence that the year will be fruitful to Cocoa farmers, as the price is expected to rise above FCFA 2000.
Some farmers who spoke to L’Action, saluted the price increase and prayed that it moves higher at the peak of the season. Their main worry is the high cost of farm inputs and the infiltration of the markets by middlemen. They say if the government can get involved in the Cocoa sector by subsidizing the price of farms inputs, and kick out middlemen, farmers will reap the reward of their labour.
Jude Efutercha
