The losses caused by illegal activities in the cocoa sector are causing serious concern among actors in the agricultural sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to recent statistics, the province of North Kivu in the DRC loses approximately $60 million each year due to organized fraud in this sector.
Cocoa exporters expressed their concern during an audience with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Vital Kamerhe. They called on the government to take urgent action to combat illicit cocoa exports.
According to the Director General of the National Agency for the Promotion of Exports (ANAPEX), Mike Ntambwe, more than half of the cocoa production in North Kivu disappears due to fraudulent practices. This situation represents a minimum loss of 400 tons of cocoa per week, or an annual value of 60 million dollars on the international market.
It is therefore essential to find solutions to put an end to smuggling and illegal exports of cocoa. These exports play an essential role in the import of foreign currencies in the DRC and contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Philip Betts, Managing Director of Esco Kivu, warns of the growing scale of fraud in cocoa exports. He also stresses the importance of guaranteeing the traceability of exported cocoa, because fraud compromises this traceability and makes it more difficult to sell Congolese cocoa on foreign markets.
Despite these challenges, the DRC has considerable potential to increase its cocoa production. Currently, the annual production of cocoa in the DRC is estimated at around 60,000 tonnes, but it is possible to reach a production level of 300,000 tonnes. However, this requires strong measures to fight against fraud and guarantee favorable conditions for exporters.
In addition, cocoa exporters denounce illegal taxes that exceed those provided by law, which weighs heavily on their cash flow and harms their economic activity.
It is therefore crucial for the government to take urgent measures to combat fraud and smuggling in the cocoa sector. This will not only preserve the country’s income, but also promote sustainable and equitable economic growth for all actors in the cocoa sector in the DRC