Losses caused by illegal activities in the cocoa sector are causing serious concern among actors in the agricultural sector. According to recent statistics, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) loses $60 million each year due to organized fraud in the province of North Kivu.
During an audience with cocoa exporters, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Vital Kamerhe, was asked to take urgent measures to put an end to illicit cocoa exports.
The losses are considerable, with an estimated 400 tons of cocoa lost each week, worth 60 million dollars annually. This alarming situation is due to systematically organized fraudulent practices that lead to the disappearance of more than half of North Kivu’s cocoa production.
Cocoa exporters underlined the importance of finding solutions to control and channel foreign exchange from cocoa production to neighboring countries. They also denounced the illicit taxes and services that overload exports, thus hurting the cash flow of companies.
Fraud in cocoa exports is a serious and growing problem. By 2025, the DRC will be forced to establish traceability of exported cocoa, which means that if the cocoa is exported fraudulently, its traceability will be lost and it will be difficult to sell it on the international market.
Furthermore, it was pointed out that there is enormous potential to increase cocoa production in the DRC. Currently, production is estimated at around 60,000 tonnes per year, but it is possible to reach a production of around 300,000 tonnes per year.
It is therefore imperative that strong measures be taken to curb illicit exports and smuggling of cocoa. This would guarantee traceability, preserve the income generated by this economic activity and promote the country’s economic growth.
In conclusion, the fight against fraud in the cocoa sector in the DRC is crucial. It requires the implementation of rigorous measures to control illicit exports and ensure fair remuneration for cocoa producers. This will help preserve the country’s economic resources and promote a prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector