(Business in Cameroon) - The Market Information System (SIF), managed by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC), reported that cocoa bean prices at the port of Douala ranged between 2,000 and 2,300 CFA/kg on November 25. This level reflects a drop of 100 to 300 CFA/kg in nine days, following a sharper decline of 500 to 600 CFA/kg recorded on November 4.

Because port prices closely track farmgate prices, this reduction directly affects grower incomes. Producers report that the price per kilogram has fallen to 1,500 CFA in recent days in some production basins, compared to more than 2,000 CFA since the start of the 2025–2026 season in August.

This latest decrease comes at a time when growers expected a stronger price rebound as the rainy season ends, after several weeks of modest increases. Normally, the drying of rural roads at the end of the rainy season cancels the discounts applied by buyers to cover higher logistical costs. Current market conditions risk neutralizing this seasonal effect and undermining the government’s campaign projections.

The Cameroonian authorities expect average producer prices between 3,200 and 5,400 CFA/kg during the 2025–2026 season. Market signals, both local and international, now put this target under significant pressure, a forecast viewed as optimistic given recent price movements.

Internationally, several commodity analysts anticipate a global cocoa production surplus of around 186,000 tons in the current season. A surplus of this size puts downward pressure on world prices, with direct consequences for domestic markets. This situation highlights the significant vulnerability of agricultural incomes to unfavorable global conditions.