Cocoa prices for farmers in Cameroon, Africa's fourth-largest grower, remained largely stable through mid-December amid robust harvesting and increased efforts to clamp down on smuggling to neighbouring countries.

Prices ranged from 1,400 to 1,550 CFA francs ($2.33-$2.58) per kilogram in the Centre region, while buyers paid between 1,200 and 1,350 FCFA per kg in the South and South-West regions.

Adalbert Eyebe Mvogo - president of Cameroon's cocoa and coffee farmers association, the ANPCC - said that output was strong.

"The trend is good. Since we denounced those selling outside the grouped sales, monitors from the trade ministry are taking action even if this practice will take time to disappear," he said.

In the East region, farmers said prices had averaged around 1,200 FCFA per kg over the month from mid-November to mid-December.

"Production will be good," said farmer Alfred Epacka.

"Farmers are using better products. The plants are of better quality. Farming techniques are also improving. Young people are getting involved."

Cameroon's Centre and South-West regions account for 40 percent each of its cocoa output, the South 15 percent and the East 5 percent.

The cocoa season runs from Aug. 1 to July 31. The main harvest period runs from October to January/February and the light crop harvest period from April/May to June/July.

Below are the average farmgate prices in FCFA per kg recorded across the growing regions:

South-West (Price per Kg):

Mamfe Oct. 1300 Nov 1300

Konye 1250 1250

Muyuka 1350 1300

Koumba 1300 1320

Centre Region (Price per kg):

Mbalmayo Oct. 1300 Nov. 1400

Emana 1500 1550

Bafia 1500 1500

South Region (Price per kg):

Ebolowa Oct. 1400 Nov. 1400

Sangmelima 1300 1325

East Region: (Price per kg)

Bertoua Oct. 1200 Nov. 1200

Yokadouma 1175 1200

($1 = 601.3500 FCFA)