In Cameroon, the price per kilogram of cocoa beans ranged from 1,200 to 1,300 FCFA in production areas as of March 24, 2026, according to the Système d’information des filières (SIF) of the Office national du cacao et du café (ONCC). This price level brings cocoa back to the same threshold as robusta coffee, a situation not seen since March 3, 2026.
On March 3, 2026, robusta prices had exceeded those of cocoa, a first in many years. On February 18, 2026, the two products had already reached the same price level for the first time in a long time.
The gap then widened in favor of robusta, breaking with the usual hierarchy where cocoa outranked robusta, the most common coffee variety in Cameroon.
This reversal reflects the difficulties encountered by cocoa since the start of the 2025-2026 season. After a peak of 6,000 FCFA/kg during the 2023-2024 season, then a maximum of 5,400 FCFA/kg the following season, the kilogram of beans is trading between 1,200 and 1,300 FCFA, after 1,050 to 1,150 FCFA a month ago, according to the SIF.
Despite this recent recovery, prices remain below government expectations, which were targeting a range of 3,200 to 5,400 FCFA/kg. Several analysts attribute this difference to a less favorable international situation.
Global cocoa production is expected to be in surplus in 2025-2026, extending the recovery that began in 2024-2025 after three deficit campaigns. This surplus should maintain pressure on prices, both internationally and in Cameroon. The return of cocoa to the level of robusta therefore reflects a persistent weakness rather than a solid rebound.
In 2024-2025, Cameroon produced more than 300,000 tons of cocoa, marking an increase of 6.7% compared to the previous season. The country locally processes approximately 35% of its cocoa production.
