Farmgate prices for cocoa in Cameroon, Africa's fourth-largest grower, climbed in June as scant supplies of beans forced buyers to raise their offers, growers said on Monday.

Joseph Nde, manager of Cameroon Marketing Commodities (CAMACO) in Kumba in the South-West Region, said prices had risen to 1,530 CFA francs per kg, up from 1,200 CFA francs in May, as the few buyers left in the market were obliged to pay higher rates.

"This is a price we have never had before in this small harvest period," Nde told Reuters.

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

Cocoa is the main cash crop in the central African country, after crude oil and timber. The Centre and South-West account for 40 percent of national output, the South 15 percent and the East 5 percent.

Essian Efa, the main cocoa grower and head of a cooperative union in Ebolowa in the South Region, said the government and the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB) had taken measures to prevent illegal buyers who used to buy at cheap prices.

Most growers have also joined cooperative unions that ensure their beans are better quality by helping to provide inputs, he said, adding that this also tended to raise prices.