COCOA CRISIS

Ivory Coast Fights for Farmers Fair Share

BY MERCY NAMFUKWE

FOR decades, Ivory Coast has remained at the heart of the global chocolate industry, producing millions of tons of cocoa beans that supply manufacturers around the world. However, behind the sweet taste of chocolate lies a growing battle over farmer incomes, sustainability and who benefits most from the multimillion-dollar cocoa value chain.

As global demand for chocolate continues to rise, Ivory Coast is pushing for a major transformation of its cocoa industry, one that places farmers at the center, increases local processing and ensures more wealth remains within producing communities.

The country’s cocoa sector is currently experiencing major changes, with farmers facing production challenges, rising costs and the increasing impact of climate change.

For the 2026/2027 main crop season, cocoa production is expected to face pressure, with estimates pointing to a possible decline of between 10 and 20 percent due to ageing cocoa trees, changing weather patterns and crop diseases.

‍

Read full article in August issue https://www.agricoopnews.com/e-publications

‍