Ivory Coast: Cocoa Industry Struggles Amid Falling Prices. Abidjan, Ivory Coast — The Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is addressing a severe deadlock in its cocoa industry due to a significant drop in global cocoa prices since October 2025. Exports have slowed, and stocks are accumulating, leaving the industry in a state of limbo.
Marty Somda, director of the Cabend cooperative, reported that cocoa farmers are suffering from poverty despite having produce worth millions. “Today, producers are dying. Producers are dying of poverty even though they have products; they cannot afford to pay for medical care or to live, “Somda explained.
He recounted a story of a farmer who had lost his wife and was unable to afford her funeral, despite his cocoa produce being valued at 9 million CFA francs. Cocoa prices for growers in Ivory Coast are established twice a year by the government but often do not align with global market prices. Since the middle of last year, cocoa prices have plummeted to about $5,000 a tonne or $5 per kilo, with some growers selling at even lower prices out of necessity.
Laurent Kone, a farmer, expressed his plight: “The government set the price of cocoa at 2,800 CFA francs per kilo at the farm gate. And today, everything is enriched, which makes 115 kilos. And they took my cocoa at 2,000 francs because there are needs.
But how can we save human lives? Officials commented on the matter. All of the Ivory Coast’s production from our plantations will be purchased.”.
One in five people in Ivory Coast indirectly relies on cocoa for their livelihood.
The industry is vital to the country’s economy, and its health significantly impacts the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
The situation remains critical as the cocoa industry struggles to recover from the falling prices.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.
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Source: Ivory Coast: Cocoa industry in limbo as prices fall — [africanews. Com]( Africanews.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
