(Business in Cameroon) - Barry Callebaut, a leading cocoa grinder, is planning to strengthen investments in Cameroon to ramp up the country’s cocoa production. In that regard, CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique, who owns Barry’s local subsidiary -Cameroon Cocoa Industrial Corporation (Sic Cacaos) - met with President Paul Biya on May 22, and with the Economy Minister, Alamine Ousmane Mey, the following day.

“Sic Cacaos has being processing cocoa in Cameroon for 70 years now. With the authorities, we discussed how we can improve both the quality and the volume so that the processing activity continues to flourish and better contribute to Cameroon’s development,” says Antoine de Saint-Affrique.  

According to the economy minister, the collaboration with Barry intends to add value to the sector and enable the country to improve its trade balance by offering quality products at a price that meets the expectations of Cameroonian farmers.

Sic Cacaos ground nearly 53,000 tons of cocoa during the 2017-2018 season, according to latest data.

S.A