By Emmanuel Tumanjong
YAOUNDE, Cameroon--Cameroon saw a 49% increase in processed
cocoa beans in the just-ended season compared with the year before,
with 47,712 metric tons processed in the West African nation,
according to figures from the government and cocoa industry.
Switzerland-based chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut AG
(BARN.EB) and South Africa's Tiger Brand Ltd. (TBS.JO) were the
chief buyers of the beans, the data show.
Local affiliates of the companies bought a total of 32,112 tons
of cocoa beans processed in the 2014-2015 cocoa season, compared
with 32,042 tons in the 2013-2014 season, according to data
released by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, or NCCB.
The Cameroon affiliates of Barry Callebaut and Tiger Brand are
Sic Cacao and Chocolaterie Confiserie du Cameroun, or Chococam,
respectively.
Government and NCCB figures show that chocolate, cocoa powder,
cocoa cake and liquor produced by Sic Cacao and Chococam are
marketed mainly in the European Union, Cameroon and its five
neighboring countries in the Economic Community of Central African
States, or CEMAC.
Both companies have the two main factories processing cocoa in
this world's fifth-largest cocoa producer and Sic Cacao plans to
raise its cocoa-bean intake in the 2015-2016 season to 50,000 tons
from 30,000 tons. Barry Callebaut has invested 4.8 billion Central
African francs this year to expand the capacity of its Cameroon
factory.
Local processors, mainly Cameroonians, crushed 15,600 tons of
cocoa beans in the 2014-2015 season.
Cameroon's cocoa season officially starts in August of each year
and ends in July of the next year.
Write to Emmanuel Tumanjong at
realtimedesklondon@dowjones.com
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