The cocoa sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a worrying problem: losses due to illegal activities. According to recent statistics, the province of North Kivu loses 60 million dollars annually due to well-organized fraud. This is what cocoa exporters highlighted during an audience with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy, Vital Kamerhe.
According to the Director General of the National Export Promotion Agency (ANAPEX), Mike Ntambwe, more than half of Congolese cocoa production in North Kivu is lost due to rampant fraudulent practices. Exporters are therefore calling on the central government to take urgent measures to stop illicit exports and cocoa smuggling. Indeed, these losses represent a major shortfall for the country’s economy, given that a tonne of cocoa sells for 3,200 US dollars on the international market.
Philip Betts, Managing Director of Esco Kivu, highlights the importance of traceability of exported cocoa. He points out that if cocoa is exported fraudulently, traceability is lost, making it more difficult to sell cocoa abroad. It is therefore essential to prepare for future regulations which will require clear traceability of exported cocoa.
Exporters also believe that illegal taxes are a major problem. Indeed, certain services overtax exports, which seriously affects companies’ cash flow.
Despite these difficulties, the potential for cocoa production in the DRC is high. Exporters estimate that it is possible to achieve an annual production of around 300,000 tonnes of cocoa, while current production is around 60,000 tonnes per year.
It is therefore crucial that the government takes strict measures to put an end to illicit cocoa exports and organized fraud. This would not only secure revenues from the sector, but also encourage the country’s economic growth through cocoa exports.
In conclusion, the losses caused by illegal activities in the cocoa sector in the DRC are alarming. Exporters are demanding strong measures from the government to put an end to fraud and illicit exports. The traceability of exported cocoa is also a major issue, which will require adequate regulation in the future. It is time for measures to be taken to protect the cocoa sector and guarantee the economic development of the country.