Cocoa has weighed heavily on Cameroon’s economy since the colonial era: depending on the season, the country ranks fourth or fifth among the world’s cocoa producers, just behind Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, with whom it regularly competes for that spot.
Volume isn't the whole story. At the 10th Cacao of Excellence awards, held on 20 February 2026 in Amsterdam, a Cameroonian sample won gold in the Africa and Indian Ocean category, among 191 entries from 45 producing countries — the industry's most sought-after recognition for flavour quality.
Seven Cameroonian samples had been shortlisted nationally before being tested in an Italian laboratory; the one from the southern region went on to win the medal.
Sources: International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Cacao of Excellence, Ecomatin.
