PRESERVING RED COCOA FROM CAMEROON

May 31, 2023

On Friday 26 May 2023, the National Committee for the Promotion and Coordination of Geographical Indications (CONAPIG) met for its second session in Yaoundé under the chairmanship of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, Chairman of the said committee. The aim of the working session was to secure and label Cameroon’s red cocoa specie against any counterfeiting. The country's red cocoa is now following in the footsteps of the Penja pepper and Oku white honey. Thanks to its unique flavour, national and international chocolate manufacturers all assert to its nutritive properties since the Cameroonian specie contains a higher level of antioxidant polyphenols than that of other countries.

Sixty (60) tonnes of Penja pepper have already been produced in Cameroon as an approved Geographical Indication (GI) product. Efforts are underway to promote this spice. Dénis Bohoussou, Director General of African Organisation for Intellectual Property (OAPI) underlined that a contract has been signed to acquire labelling and packaging equipment. Measures are being taken to ensure that Oku white honey gains this same prestige. As for Cameroon's red cocoa, the process is still underway. Other local products are on the waiting list for certification, notably shallots and onions from Lékié, as well as pineapples grown in Bafia.

Source: Summary Cameroon Tribune No. 12861/9060 of 29 May 2023