Deal #1151

The SOCFINAF annual report 2019 states that the company owns 58,063ha of which 32,584ha is planted with oil palm and 2,067ha with rubber. At the time of privatization, Socapalm covered a total area of 78,529 hectares. In late June 2005, over 20,000 hectares were returned to the rightful owner, the State of Cameroon. Initially, SOCAPALM acquired 78,000 hectares of land, and in 2005, an agreement was made to allocate 20,000 hectares to the indigenous population. However, it was claimed that SOCAPALM violated this "Gentleman's Agreement." Of the total estate, 40% of the planted area was cultivated by smallholders. One report states that 58,000 hectares were under contract, while another source mentions 56,000 hectares, according to a farmland grab article. In 2014, SOCAPALM had 37,001 hectares of plantations, comprising 35,037 hectares of oil palm and 1,964 hectares of rubber. The 2014 Socfin report indicates 59,563 hectares under contract, with 33,044 hectares planted across six sites. The original leasehold covered only 20,000 hectares. A Grain report mentions a concession size of 73,529 hectares, with 41,951 hectares under plantation as of September 2019. Additionally, a report from December 2019 revealed that Safacam, part of the Socfin group in Cameroon, was awarded a new contract for an additional 2,161 hectares for plantation expansion. Currently, Socfin controls around 58,000 hectares in Cameroon under concession. The company is in the process of renewing its plantations by replacing older, less productive palm trees with new ones to boost profitability, which exceeded 80 million euros in 2021.

Oil palm and rubber trees.

Previously government owned, started in 1969.

2018 contract farming figures are based on the tracability reports from the company. They have 2,338 outgrowers, who themselves have about 3,000 agricultural workers. 40% of planted area by smallholders on the estate.