Cocoa farmers in Cameroon adapt to EU regulations while facing price crisis

• Cameroon’s cocoa farmers are adapting their agricultural practices to comply with upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements.
• Prices for cocoa have plummeted, trading at less than half of their 2023–2024 peak, causing severe economic strain on producers.
• While farmers are willing to adopt sustainable practices, they emphasize that these efforts must be matched by fair compensation to remain viable.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Requirements

• The EUDR mandates that cocoa imported into the EU must be deforestation-free, fully traceable, and legally produced.
• The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), through its CANOPE initiative, is assisting cooperatives with training, geo-referencing farm locations, and securing land titles.
• Geo-referencing is a critical first step for traceability, ensuring that buyers can verify the origins and legal status of every batch of cocoa.

Agricultural Improvements and Sustainability

• Farmers are shifting toward agroforestry, which includes maintaining medicinal and fruit trees instead of clearing land, to ensure healthier cocoa growth.
• Techniques such as proper spacing and timely trimming are helping farmers mitigate disease and rot, leading to higher yields.
• WWF has supported infrastructure development, including the construction of sun dryers and storage facilities, to improve the quality of the harvest.

The Price Crisis

• Cameroon is the world's fifth-largest cocoa producer, reaching a record 309,518 metric tons in recent production cycles.
• Prices peaked at FCFA 6,000 (USD 10.42) per kilogram during the 2023–2024 season but fell to between FCFA 2,750 (USD 4.77) and 2,850 (USD 4.94) as of July 2026.
• Farmers express concern that the increased burden of meeting strict quality and environmental standards will lead to discouragement if it does not yield better financial returns.