The losses caused by illegal activities in the cocoa sector raise concerns among actors in the agricultural sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to recent statistics, the DRC loses 60 million dollars each year due to organized fraud in the province of North Kivu.
Faced with this worrying situation, cocoa exporters have called on the central government to take urgent measures to combat illicit cocoa exports. Indeed, they estimate losing about 400 tons of cocoa per week, which represents an annual value of 60 million dollars. This situation is due to well-organized fraudulent practices that lead to the disappearance of more than half of the cocoa production in the province of North Kivu.
Exporters highlighted the importance of cocoa exports to the Congolese economy. These exports not only import foreign currency, but also promote the country’s economic growth. It is therefore essential to bring order to this sector in order to preserve these economic advantages.
Fraud in cocoa exports has become a growing concern. To guarantee the traceability of exported cocoa, it is essential to take measures to combat these fraudulent exports. In 2025, the DRC will have to put in place rigorous traceability for exported cocoa in order to preserve its reputation on the international market.
In addition to fraud, exporters also denounced illegal taxes that overload exports and penalize businesses. They estimate that there is enough potential to increase cocoa production in the DRC to an annual volume of 300,000 tons. However, addressing issues related to fraud and excessive taxes is essential to foster the development of the cocoa sector.
In conclusion, the losses caused by fraud in the cocoa sector in the DRC are of serious concern. It is imperative that the government take strong measures to combat illicit exports and smuggling of cocoa