Main actors, marketing channels, harvesting practices, and constraints in the Penja white pepper value chain, Cameroon

White pepper (Piper nigrum L.) from Njombe-Penja sub-division, Cameroon, is a globally recognized non-timber forest product with Protected Geographical Indication status since 2013. Despite its economic importance, limited documentation exists on the value chain structure, actors’ characteristics, harvesting practices, and constraints affecting the sector. This study aimed to identify the main actors and marketing channels, document harvesting and processing methods, and analyze constraints faced along the white pepper value chain in Njombe-Penja sub-division. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 358 respondents (121 producers, 8 distributors, 51 wholesalers, and 178 retailers) selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Focus group discussions were conducted in Njombe and Penja villages. Results revealed seven distribution channels linking six main actors: nurserymen, producers, distributors, wholesalers (‘buy’am sell’ams), retailers, processors, and exporters. Producers were predominantly male (90.1%), aged 20-60 years (89.3%), with 63.6% married and 86% engaged in part-time farming. Women dominated wholesale (70.6%) and retail (54.8%) trade. Harvesting occurs December-February using manual picking of ripe berries, followed by retting (8-14 days soaking), washing, sun drying (to <10% moisture), sorting, and storage. Major constraints included theft (99.2% of producers), drought (74.4%), diseases (73.6%), transportation costs (75% of distributors), credit inaccessibility (58.8% of wholesalers; 63.5% of retailers), price fluctuations (52.9%), and poor road networks (62.5%). These findings provide baseline data for policy formulation to strengthen the white pepper value chain and improve livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Cameroon.