info@bvholdingsagro.com+237 6 73 43 34 67
BV GroupBV Holdings PLCBV Cocoa ProductsBV Metal & MineralsBV Holdings Agro

How we source and check every lot

Consistency comes from process: where we buy, how lots are stored, and what is tested before a bag is sealed.

SourcingIn the producing regions
TestingBefore bagging and loading
InspectionIndependent, agreed per contract

From farm gate to container

Five checkpoints every export lot passes through.

  1. 1

    Buy in region

    Commodities are bought from producer groups and aggregators where each crop is grown.

  2. 2

    Dry and store

    Lots are dried to target moisture and stored off the ground in covered warehouses.

  3. 3

    Sample and test

    Representative samples are drawn and tested against the contract specification.

  4. 4

    Clean and bag

    Lots are cleaned, sorted and packed in new, export-marked bags with a lot number.

  5. 5

    Inspect and load

    Independent inspection, fumigation where required, then loading at Douala or Kribi.

What we test

Tests depend on the commodity. These are the checks buyers ask for most.

All commoditiesMoistureMeasured at purchase, during storage and before bagging.
Cocoa beansCut testMouldy, slaty and defective beans counted against grade limits.
CoffeeScreen and defectsGraded by screen size and defect count on a standard sample.
Maize and grainsAflatoxinTested against the limits of your destination market.
SesameOil and FFAOil content and free fatty acids tested per lot on request.
All commoditiesForeign matterStones, dust and other matter removed and measured after cleaning.

Independent inspection

We expect buyers to verify what they pay for. The inspection company, sampling method and the point of inspection are written into each contract.

Buyers can nominate an internationally recognised inspection company, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Cotecna, to check quality and weight before loading. Their certificate travels with the shipping documents.

For cocoa and coffee, export lots are also subject to quality control by Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC).

Quality questions

How does BV Holdings Agro check commodity quality?

Each lot is sampled and tested for moisture and defects, then cleaned, sorted and bagged. Before loading, the lot can be checked by an independent inspection company agreed in the contract.

Can the buyer choose the inspection company?

Yes. The inspection company is agreed in each contract and can be one nominated by the buyer, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Cotecna.

Are aflatoxin and residue tests available?

Yes. Aflatoxin testing is standard for maize and can be arranged for other lines. Pesticide-residue and microbiological tests are available on request.

Want to see a sample first?

Request a representative sample of the lot on offer before you commit.

Request a Sample