Shipments slump as exporters fear drop in quality.  Cocoa buyers and exporters have been cautious in buying and exporting the beans since the rains intensified in the Cocoa producing zones of the country. They have expressed fear the heavy rains might affect the drying process and consequently lead to a drop in quality. In an exclusive interview with Cameroon Tribune recently, Bart Willems, General Manager of Sic Cocoa announced his company might be stepping down grindings in Cameroon as a result of persistent low quality beans. According to him, farmers in the South West Region where cocoa beans have peculiar characteristics with their reddish colour highly appreciated by consumers in Europe, are resorting to drying beans with use of fire from fuel wood which produces smoke and contaminates the natural flavour of the beans. In the same manner, buyers and exporters have stepped down their activities.

Cocoa exports within the past two months have dropped significantly. In May, for instance, shipments dropped 35 per cent compared to the same period last season. According to statistics provided by the Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council (CICC), exports decreased to 2,380 metric tonnes from 3,681 tonnes a year earlier. The average price received for cocoa exported was FCFA 1,657 a kilogramme compared with FCFA 1,323 a year earlier, according to CT calculations from daily rates published by the Cameroon Cocoa and Coffee Board. Eight companies were involved in the shipment with OLAM exporting highest, 702 metric tons followed by CAMACO with 601 tons, the report said. Twelve companies exported during the same period a year earlier with TELCAR Cocoa Ltd recording highest export tonnage.