The Minister of Trade’s tour of the cocoa production basins to distribute bonuses to producers has resulted in the payment of more than CFAF 774 million to more than 5,200 producers. The objective is to encourage them to produce grade 1 cocoa, a quality cocoa highly prized by processors, which will enable them to substantially improve their income.

The long-awaited payment of the quality premium for the 2017-2018 cocoa season has been completed. The 5239 cocoa producers spread over 6 of the 8 cocoa production basins in Cameroon have received their envelopes. The envelopes ranged from 11,000 to 1,800,000 CFA francs. 774,025,721 CFA francs is the total amount that was paid to them for a total tonnage of 10,301,766 kilograms, or 70 francs per kg of grade 1 cocoa. The beneficiaries were rigorously selected by a committee set up by the Minister of Trade, headed by the Director General of the ONCC, and including the heads of the industry’s bodies. The envelope released by the Government, through the CCODEF, aimed at ensuring the promotion of excellent cocoa in Cameroon, as instructed by the Head of State.

The distribution of the premium, whose caravan was launched on 23 March 2021 and completed on 28 April 2021, reached all the cocoa producing areas, namely: the Centre, West, South, East, Littoral and South-West. A series of 16 stages in all. Through this premium, the Government is committed to supporting producers in a context marked by price fluctuations.

The impact of the crisis that occurred on the international market

This distribution of premiums is part of the implementation of a decision of the Head of State aimed at limiting the impact of the crisis that occurred on the international market during the 2016-2017 cocoa season. This decision also aims at adopting a series of measures including, among others, the introduction of a quality premium to producers, the acceleration and strengthening of the programme for the construction of centres of excellence and post-harvest processing of cocoa, as well as the reduction by half of the royalty on cocoa exports.

The quality and preserve the typical flavour of its beans

Producers, thus rewarded by the valorization of a superior grade of cocoa, intend to reinforce the quality and preserve the typical flavour of its beans, which are highly appreciated on the international market.

After the successful completion of the 2017-2018 premium payment campaign, according to the general opinion of the stakeholders, the payment campaigns for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 financial years will take over and will be paid shortly.

Nina T. ONGBEHOCK