By Emmanuel Tumanjong
YAOUNDE, Cameroon--More Cameroonian cocoa was ground locally in
the just-ended 2011-2012 season, government data published
Wednesday showed.
A total of 29,924 metric tons of cocoa beans were crushed in
Cameroon during the period, up 5% from 28,413 tons in the 2010-2011
season, according to data published Wednesday.
The bulk -- 28,556 tons -- of the cocoa was bought by the
Cameroon branch of Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut AG (BARN.EB)
during the season.
Known locally as Societe Industrielle Camerounaise, or Sic Cacao
SA, the firm is Cameroon's lone certified industrial crusher for
chocolate and other byproducts, with an annual grinding capacity of
30,000 tons.
The Swiss company owns 70% of Sic Cacao, while the Cameroon
government holds the remaining 30%.
Separately, South African firm Tiger Brand Ltd.'s (TBS.JO) local
affiliate Chococam bought 1,347 tons of the crop during the
season.
-Write to Emmanuel Tumanjong at tnuel@yahoo.com
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