Cameroon’s agro-food exports are firing on new cylinders as cocoa, coffee, and rubber push the export price index up 6.9 per cent higher in 2024, a shift that promises bigger paydays for farmers and processors and fresh momentum for the national economy. This is not a small uptick. It is the visible result of investments in processing capacity, stronger prices on global markets, and a clearer focus on transforming raw commodities into higher-value products that travel farther and earn more.
Why this matters now
Cocoa sits at the heart of the story. Prices for cocoa in 2024 surged by more than 120 percent, a dramatic jump that reflects tighter global supplies and growing demand for processed cocoa products. That price surge is unlocking another opportunity for Cameroon – more local processing, more cocoa derivatives leaving the country, and more value staying in local hands rather than being exported as raw beans.
From beans to butter to branded boxes
The transformation is tangible. Over the last decade Cameroonian cocoa grinders have expanded capacity rapidly. A leading player upgraded its plant from 32,000 to 50,000 tons, and new entrants have pushed national grinding potential to nearly 90,000 tons. That capacity is what turns beans into higher margin products like cocoa butter, powder and paste, the items that are commanding strong prices on world markets and bringing in meaningful foreign exchange. In 2023, exports of cocoa derivatives reached over 73,000 tons, generating substantial revenues, and the momentum continued into 2024 with strong year on year growth in cocoa paste shipments.
Coffee and rubber join the rally
Cocoa is not the only winner. Robusta coffee prices climbed sharply in 2024, registering strong double digit gains compared with the prior year, while Arabica recovered from previous declines to record positive growth. Rubber, which fell in 2023, came back with nearly 27 percent growth in 2024. These commodity-level rebounds are working together to push the overall agro-food export price index higher. At the same time some crops like cotton and bananas recorded mixed results, which underlines that gains are not uniform and targeted investment remains key.
Real money for the sector
The bottom line is clear and encouraging. Cameroon earned about CFA532.2 billion from agro-food exports in 2024, the highest figure since 2019 and a sign that export earnings have almost doubled over five years. That kind of growth makes a real difference for rural incomes, for agro-industrial jobs in processing plants, and for the public finances that support roads, ports and services that the sector needs to scale further.
What is driving the success
Three practical forces are at work. First, investment in local processing capacity gives producers a pathway to capture more value at home instead of exporting raw commodities. Second, global market conditions have pushed up prices for cocoa and certain other commodities, amplifying the benefits of local processing. Third, private sector players have shown they will invest when returns are visible, expanding capacity and planning further increases in throughput. Several firms have announced expansion plans that, if realized, will significantly raise national grinding capacity and create stronger upstream demand for cocoa beans.
What this means for farmers and processors
For farmers the message is simple: better prices and stronger local demand can translate to higher incomes if the value chain holds together. For processors and factory owners the moment is to scale smartly. Investments in modern grinding, quality control, packaging and logistics will allow Cameroonian products to march into premium markets and to move from commodity selling to contract based, branded sales. Exporters who can offer consistent quality and traceability will be the winners in long term contracts with buyers abroad.
Practical steps that could multiply gains
- Prioritize scalable processing upgrades. Expand lines that make butter, paste and powder rather than only focusing on raw throughput.
- Invest in quality and traceability. Buyers pay more for reliably consistent product and documented supply chains.
- Forge partnerships between growers and processors. Secure bean supply for grinders and steady off take for farmers.
- Encourage clustered infrastructure. Shared storage, testing labs and export logistics can cut costs and raise margins for smaller players.
- Support market diversification. Finding buyers beyond traditional destinations will soften vulnerability to single market slumps.
Risks to watch
The surge is real, but not guaranteed forever. Commodity markets are volatile. Price corrections can come quickly, and investments need to be resilient to swings. Climatic risks and supply disruptions in neighboring major producers can alter price trajectories. That means both private investors and policymakers must think long term and stress test plans against downcycles.
A practical opportunity, not a miracle
What is happening in Cameroon is a useful case study in how processing capacity and commodity pricing interact. The gains of 2024 show that strategic investment can push more value up the chain and that the country can be competitive in supplying higher margin cocoa products. If expansions under way reach completion and if processors and exporters focus on quality and market development, the next few years could see Cameroon move from a regional processor to a recognized global supplier of cocoa derivatives and other agro-food products.
Final thought
This is a moment for bold but sensible action. The numbers show momentum. The players are committing capital. Farmers are seeing better returns for certain crops. The policy challenge is to keep enabling that private sector dynamism while ensuring smallholders share in the upside. Done right, Cameroon can lock in higher earnings, create jobs in processing towns, and build a more resilient, higher value agro-food sector that benefits communities across the country.
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