Cameroon has won the gold medal in the Africa and Indian Ocean category at the 10th edition of the Cocoa of Excellence Awards, held on February 20, 2026, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This prestigious award, presented during the Cocoa Trade Fair, recognizes the exceptional quality of Cameroonian cocoa.
According to the Ministry of Trade, the winning sample comes from the Kyé-Ossi cocoa production and marketing cooperative, located in the South region of Cameroon. The competition brought together 191 samples from 45 cocoa-producing countries. This victory follows the bronze medal won by Cameroon at the 2023 edition of the same competition, demonstrating the constant progress of the Cameroonian cocoa sector on the international stage.
Cameroonian authorities attribute this success to the efforts made in recent years to improve the quality of production. This strategy has notably resulted in the establishment of post-harvest processing centers of excellence in the main production basins, with the aim of producing "zero defect" beans. In addition, a quality bonus has been introduced to encourage producers to adopt international standards.
In June 2023, Cameroon joined the circle of "fine cocoa" producers, joining Ghana, during a meeting of the panel of experts of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) in Antananarivo, Madagascar. According to the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, this recognition was previously reserved for South American countries.
The gold medal obtained in Amsterdam is the third international award won by the Cameroonian cocoa-coffee sector in the space of two weeks. Indeed, from February 4 to 6, 2026, at the African Taste of Harvest 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Cameroonian roasters won first place for natural robusta and third place in the "natural robusta produced by women" category, according to the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC).
Cocoa is a major pillar of Cameroonian exports, with revenues exceeding 1,000 billion FCFA in 2024. In this context, improving the quality of Cameroonian cocoa is of crucial strategic interest. Cameroon is also recognized as one of the main producers of quality cocoa in Africa. In 2023, the country produced 295,028 tons of cocoa, ranking fifth in the world.
The Cameroonian government has put in place quality premiums to encourage cocoa producers to improve their practices and comply with international standards. These premiums aim to increase farmers' incomes and promote sustainable production practices. Europe absorbs approximately 80% of Cameroon's cocoa exports, while Asia takes most of the remaining 19%.
This award at the 2026 Cocoa of Excellence Awards underscores Cameroon's commitment to quality and the potential of its cocoa on the global market. It also strengthens the country's position as a producer of fine cocoa, a growing market segment where traceability, taste profile and post-harvest practices are key elements.
Cameroon continues to improve its quality and cocoa production standards, which allows it to stand out on the international market.
