Cameroon Green Arabica Coffee exported to your specification
We export Cameroon green Arabica coffee from the West and North-West highlands to roasters and green coffee traders. Lots ship in full containers from Douala or Kribi, after moisture, screen and defect checks.
BV Holdings Agro exports Cameroon green Arabica coffee to roasters, importers and green coffee traders. We buy from producer groups and aggregators in the West and North-West highlands. Then we consolidate the beans, check each lot and load full containers at Douala or Kribi.
Arabica is a small share of the national crop, because Robusta covers most of the lowlands. However, that makes good lots of Cameroon green Arabica coffee worth finding. The trees grow on rich volcanic soils, often at about 1,200 to 2,000 metres. Cool nights slow the ripening of the cherries. As a result, the beans build sweetness and a bright, clean acidity.
This page sets out where Cameroon green Arabica coffee comes from, its typical specification and grades, and how we check it. It also covers packaging, documents, pricing and the order steps. If you already know your grade, you can go straight to our quote request form.
Where Cameroon green Arabica coffee is grown
Cameroon’s Arabica belt sits in the Western highlands. In the West Region, farms cluster in the Bamboutos, Menoua and Noun divisions. Meanwhile, in the North-West Region, coffee grows across the Bamenda highlands, in divisions such as Mezam, Bui and Boyo. Both regions share high ground, steady rain and deep volcanic soil.
Most farms are small family plots. Coffee often shares the land with beans, maize and plantain, which also give some shade. Many farms still grow Java, a variety selected in Cameroon for its resistance to coffee berry disease. Others keep older Typica and Bourbon-type trees.
The main harvest runs from about October to January. Pickers work the trees by hand, in several passes, so they can take the red cherries as they ripen. Our Cameroon harvest calendar shows how this fits with cocoa and Robusta.
After picking, most lots follow the washed process. First, farmers or wet mills pulp the cherries and ferment the beans to loosen the mucilage. Then they wash the beans and dry them on raised beds or patios. The beans rest as parchment until a dry mill hulls, grades and sorts them for export. Natural lots, dried in the whole cherry, are also possible on request.
Because farms are small, one container of Cameroon green Arabica coffee often combines beans from many growers. So we buy through producer groups and aggregators, then bulk lots of a similar grade and process. Each lot keeps its own number, so you can trace it back to the region and the collection point.
Typical specification of Cameroon green Arabica coffee
The table below shows normal values for washed Cameroon green Arabica coffee of export grade. Each offer then states the exact limits for that lot.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| HS code | 0901.11 |
| Species | Coffea arabica |
| Process | Washed (natural on request) |
| Moisture | 10–12.5% |
| Screen size | 15+, 16+ or 17+ by grade |
| Defects | Set per grade and contract |
| Foreign matter | ≤ 0.5% |
| Bean colour | Bluish-green to green |
| Odour | Clean, free from mould, smoke or ferment |
| Harvest | About October to January |
| Packaging | New 60 kg jute bags |
Final specifications are confirmed in each contract and verified before loading.
Moisture matters most for shelf life. Below about 10%, beans can turn brittle and fade. Above 12.5%, however, they risk mould on a long sea voyage. Screen size, meanwhile, tells you how even the beans are, which helps you roast evenly. You can read more about how we test on our quality control page.
Grades and cup profile: how to choose
We grade beans by screen size and defect count. A screen 17+ grade means most beans stay on a sieve with holes of 17/64 of an inch. Larger, cleaner screens suit specialty and single-origin roasting. Meanwhile, standard 15+ grades work well in house blends.
- Top grade, screen 17+: large, even beans for single-origin and specialty offers.
- Mid grade, screen 16+: a balanced grade for premium blends and private label.
- Standard grade, screen 15+: good value for commercial blends and larger volumes.
A typical cup of Cameroon green Arabica coffee shows medium body and mild to bright acidity. Many lots carry notes of cocoa, nuts or citrus. Still, each lot differs by farm, altitude and season. For this reason, we suggest you roast and cup a sample before you sign.
So how do you choose? First, set the use: single origin, blend or resale. Then pick the screen and the defect limit that fit your price target. Finally, decide on washed or natural, since the process shapes the cup more than the grade does. Peaberry beans, which form when only one seed grows in the cherry, can also be sorted out on request. Our Arabica vs Robusta guide also explains how the two species differ in the cup and in price.
Quality control of Cameroon green Arabica coffee before loading
We check every lot of Cameroon green Arabica coffee against the contract before it leaves the warehouse. First, we draw samples from a share of the bags. Then we test the samples for the points below.
- Moisture: measured with a calibrated meter, against the contract limit.
- Screen: a sieve test shows the share of beans on each screen size.
- Defects: graders count faults in a set sample, often 300 grams.
- Foreign matter: stones, sticks and husks are picked out and weighed.
- Odour and colour: any musty, smoky or sour smell fails the lot.
Defects tell you how the coffee was picked, dried and stored. Black beans often come from over-ripe or dead cherries. Sour beans point to slow drying or too much ferment. In addition, small holes signal the coffee berry borer, a common insect pest. Broken beans, by contrast, usually come from rough hulling.
Coffee export lots in Cameroon are also subject to quality control by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC). So an ONCC export quality certificate travels with the shipment papers. On top of that, you can nominate an inspection company such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Cotecna. They can sample, weigh and seal the lot before loading.
Many specialty buyers also ask for a pre-shipment sample. You roast and cup it, and then you approve the lot before it ships.
For specialty lots, we can also arrange a cup test. A taster roasts the sample lightly and scores aroma, flavour, acidity, body and aftertaste. The cup notes then go into the offer, so you can compare lots side by side.
Uses and buyers
Our buyers are trade buyers, not retail shops. We sell green beans only, because we do not roast or grind coffee. The main groups are listed below.
- Specialty roasters: single-origin filter and espresso offers from top screens.
- Commercial roasters: a smooth Arabica share in house blends.
- Importers and green coffee traders: container lots for resale to smaller roasters.
- Blend makers: Arabica and Robusta blends for espresso, pods and capsules.
Cameroon green Arabica coffee often works well in a blend with a heavier coffee. For example, many roasters pair it with our green Robusta coffee to add crema and body. You can also browse the full green coffee range.
Roasters who buy cocoa as well can combine supply lines. For example, our cocoa beans ship from the same ports, so one inquiry can cover both.
Some buyers also use Cameroon green Arabica coffee for cold brew and ready-to-drink lines. Its mild body and cocoa notes hold up well in milk drinks.
Packaging, loading and container capacity
We pack Cameroon green Arabica coffee in new 60 kg jute bags, marked for export with the lot number. In addition, we can add GrainPro or other hermetic liners on request. These liners help keep moisture and aroma stable on long voyages.
Between milling and loading, the bags rest in covered warehouses, off the ground on pallets. This keeps the coffee dry and away from strong smells, such as fuel or spices. Coffee picks up odours easily, so clean storage protects the cup.
A 20ft container typically holds about 320 bags of 60 kg, so roughly 19.2 tonnes. A 40ft container can carry more bags, although weight limits on the road and at sea apply. Before loading, the crew checks that the container is clean, dry and free of smells. On request, we can also add kraft paper lining or desiccant bags to cut the risk of condensation.
Fumigation is applied where the destination requires it. Then the container loads at Douala or Kribi. We quote FOB, CFR or CIF, so you can choose who books the freight and insurance. Our FOB vs CIF guide explains the difference in plain terms. You can also follow each stage on our export process page.
Export documents and EU rules for Cameroon green Arabica coffee
Each shipment of Cameroon green Arabica coffee travels with a full set of export papers. The standard set is listed below.
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Bill of lading.
- Phytosanitary certificate from MINADER plant protection.
- Certificate of origin.
- Weight and quality certificate from the agreed inspection company.
- ONCC export quality certificate.
- Fumigation certificate, where required.
- Lab reports, such as pesticide residue, where agreed in the contract.
EU buyers face extra rules. Coffee falls under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Under the EUDR, the operator who places coffee on the EU market must file a due diligence statement. That statement needs the geolocation of the plots where the coffee grew. It must also show that the land was not deforested after 31 December 2020, and that the coffee was produced legally.
We do not make EUDR compliance claims on this page. Instead, tell us your due diligence needs in your first inquiry. We will then tell you what supply-chain data we can provide for that lot. The rules and their start dates have changed before, so check the current position with your compliance team.
EU buyers also check pesticide residues against EU maximum residue levels (MRLs). Many test for ochratoxin A too, since the EU sets limits for it in roasted and soluble coffee. The International Coffee Organization also publishes useful trade and market data.
Rules in other markets, such as the UK, the US or the Middle East, are agreed per contract. So tell us your destination early, and the right papers can be ready before loading.
Storage, shelf life and arrival care
Green coffee keeps well when it is stored right. Cameroon green Arabica coffee in jute bags usually holds its quality for many months in cool, dry storage. Hermetic liners can stretch that further. On arrival, keep the bags off the floor and away from walls and strong odours. Also, keep warehouse humidity steady and moderate. Finally, roast older stock first, so freshness stays even across your blends. If you plan long storage, ask about liners at the offer stage.
How pricing works for Cameroon green Arabica coffee
We do not publish fixed prices, because the coffee market moves every day. Most Arabica trades against the ICE “C” futures market in New York. A seller then adds or subtracts a differential for origin, grade and quality.
Several points shape each offer for Cameroon green Arabica coffee:
- Screen size, defect level and process (washed or natural).
- Cup quality, which can earn a premium for specialty lots.
- Volume and the number of containers.
- Incoterm: FOB, CFR or CIF, plus freight and insurance costs.
- Shipment window and the stage of the harvest.
- Extras, such as hermetic liners, lab tests or third-party inspection.
Price, payment terms and the shipment window are then agreed in the contract. So the offer you receive covers your grade, volume and port, rather than a list price.
Specialty lots of Cameroon green Arabica coffee with a strong cup score may trade at a premium. Commercial grades, meanwhile, track the futures market more closely.
How to order from BV Holdings Agro
Every order of Cameroon green Arabica coffee follows six clear steps. Each one is short, and you always know what happens next.
- 1. Inquiry: you send the grade, volume, port and Incoterm you need.
- 2. Offer and sample: we send an offer and a green sample for roasting.
- 3. Contract: both sides sign the spec, price, Incoterm, payment terms, inspection method and shipment window.
- 4. Payment security: you arrange a letter of credit, documentary collection or other agreed terms.
- 5. Preparation and inspection: we prepare, check and inspect the lot.
- 6. Shipment and documents: we ship, and the papers are released per the payment terms.
New to buying from this origin? Our guide on how to import from Cameroon walks through each stage.
What should your first inquiry include? Give us the grade, process, volume, packaging, destination port, Incoterm and shipment month. Also list any lab tests or EUDR data you need. The more detail you give, the faster we can send a firm offer.
Why buy Cameroon green Arabica coffee from BV Holdings Agro
In short, we aim to make origin buying simple. You deal with one team from offer to bill of lading, and every promise sits in the contract.
- Highland lots from the West and North-West regions.
- Moisture, screen and defect checks before loading.
- Offer and pre-shipment sample after your inquiry.
- Full export papers, including the ONCC certificate.
- Third-party inspection when you ask for it.
- Part of BV Holdings PLC, with a team based in Yaoundé.
Cameroon green Arabica coffee FAQ
Which regions does your Cameroon green Arabica coffee come from?
Our Arabica comes from the West and North-West highlands. In the West, the main areas are the Bamboutos, Menoua and Noun divisions. In the North-West, they include the Bamenda highlands. These areas share high altitude, volcanic soil and cool nights, which help the beans develop sweetness and acidity.
Is your Arabica washed or natural?
Most of our lots are washed. Farmers pulp, ferment and wash the beans, then dry them on beds or patios. As a result, the cup tends to be clean and bright. Natural lots, dried in the whole cherry, can also be offered on request, subject to supply in that season.
Can I get a sample before I order?
Yes. Send an inquiry with your grade, volume and port. Then we send an offer and a green sample for roasting and cupping. Many buyers also ask for a pre-shipment sample from the actual lot. That way, you approve the coffee before it is loaded at Douala or Kribi.
How is Cameroon green Arabica coffee packed and shipped?
We pack it in new 60 kg jute bags with export marks and a lot number. GrainPro or other hermetic liners can be added on request. A 20ft container holds about 320 bags, so roughly 19.2 tonnes. We load at Douala or Kribi and quote FOB, CFR or CIF.
Do you help with EUDR for EU buyers?
The EUDR places the due diligence duty on the operator who brings coffee into the EU. We do not make compliance claims. However, tell us your data needs in your inquiry, such as plot geolocation. We will then say clearly what supply-chain information we can provide for that specific lot.
What is the role of the ONCC?
The National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) carries out quality control on cocoa and coffee export lots in Cameroon. An ONCC export quality certificate then travels with the other shipping papers. In addition, you can nominate your own inspection company to sample and check the lot before loading.
What is the minimum order?
The minimum order is one 20ft container, which is about 320 bags of 60 kg. We do not sell retail or sample-bag quantities for resale. Larger buyers can, of course, order several containers. In that case, we can agree a shipment schedule across the harvest season in the contract.
When is the best time to buy Cameroon green Arabica coffee?
The main harvest runs from about October to January. Fresh-crop lots are usually ready for export in the months that follow, once drying and milling are done. So an early inquiry gives you the widest choice of lots. We confirm availability and the shipment window with each offer.
Related commodities
One arm of BV Holdings PLC
BV Holdings Agro is the agricultural export company of BV Holdings PLC, alongside BV Cocoa Products and BV Metal & Minerals.
Request a Cameroon green Arabica coffee quote
Want to cup Cameroon green Arabica coffee from this season? Request a quote with your grade, volume and port, and we will reply with an offer and a sample.