Cameroon cocoa prices rise in June

Cameroon farmgate prices for cocoa rose by mid-June as production tailed off at the end of the season, producers said.

Prices ranged from 1,400 CFA francs ($2.36) per kilogramme of cocoa in the eastern region to 1,750 CFA francs ($2.95) in the centre of the central African country.

"While waiting for the launch of the upcoming cocoa season in August, the farmgate price will increase because when production decreases, buyers race to buy our cocoa," said Gentry Fuh, a planter in the Southwest region.

Prices were stagnant for most of 2016 but they started rising in May following a 40 million CFA franc ($67,363.88)investment from the Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council that has helped improve crop quality. The council is a private body that represents farmers.

Below are the average farmgate prices in CFA francs per kg,recorded throughout Cameroon's main growing regions:

Region District Price (in Price (in

CFA CFA

francs) francs)

per kg in per kg in

May June

Southwest Mamfe 1400 1450

Konye 1350 1400

Muyuka 1400 1400

Koumba 1450 1450

Centre Mbalmayo 1650 1700

Emana 1650 1750

Bafia 1500 1600

South Ebolowa 1400 1450

Sangmelima 1400 1450

East Bertoua 1350 1400

Yokadouma 1300 1400

($1 = 593.7900 CFA francs)