Cocoa farmgate prices fall on scant buyers

Farmgate cocoa prices fell across Cameroon's cocoa growing regions in May compared with the previous months as few buyers entered the market at the start of the mid-crop harvest, authorities said on Friday.

Farmers said most buyers stayed away because only small quantities of cocoa were available for sale.

A kilogram of cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate manufacture, sold for 1,100 CFA francs ($1.92) in Sangmelima in the South Region this month, compared with 1,225 CFA francs in April, said Moise Edou, a grower and cooperative head.

In Bafia in the Centre Region, one of Cameroon's top growing areas, prices were 1,240 to 1,290 CFA francs per kilogramme, compared with 1,300 CFA francs in April, said Emmanuel Nguile of Cameroon's Cocoa and Coffee Farmers' Association.

The cocoa season in Cameroon runs from August 1 to July 31, with the main harvest period from October to January/February and the light mid-crop harvest from April/May to June/July.

Below are the average farmgate prices in CFA francs per kg recorded across the growing regions by mid-May 2015.

Region District May April

South West: Mamfe 900 975

Konye 1,185 1,210

Mbonge 1,180 1,200

Muyuka 1,190 1,215

Kumba 1,200 1,250

Centre: Bafia 1,275 1,300

Emana 1,200 1,250

Mbalmayo 1,200 1,230

South: Ebolowa 1,075 1,200

Sangmelima 1,100 1,225

East: Bertoua 815 850

Yokadouma 735 800