Cameroon’s richest woman, Kate Fotso, is getting a late boost to her cocoa empire after a rebound in bean prices eased pressure on the country’s largest exporter just weeks before one of the most underwhelming marketing seasons in recent years comes to an end.
Farmgate cocoa prices have risen above CFA2,000 ($3.46) per kilogram, with beans selling between CFA2,000 ($3.46) and CFA2,050 ($3.55) across major producing areas as of June 22, according to data from Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC). The recovery comes less than a month before the 2025/26 cocoa season closes in mid-July.
For Telcar Cocoa, the trading giant Fotso has built into one of Cameroon’s largest cocoa exporter over more than three decades, the timing matters.
Higher farmgate prices typically encourage farmers to release more cocoa to licensed buyers before the season closes, increasing trading volumes for exporters.
While the latest rebound is unlikely to reverse what has been a weaker-than-expected campaign, it could improve cash flow and export activity heading into the next marketing season. The recovery, however, tells only part of the story.
