What You Need to Know
The president of the National Agricultural Union in Ivory Coast, Kone Moussa, has accused the government of deliberately obstructing cocoa marketing, warning of severe consequences for thousands of farmers. The union is prepared to organize a national movement to pressure authorities for urgent intervention to stabilize the market and protect producers’ rights.
Africa. The president of the “National Agricultural Union for Progress” in Ivory Coast, Kone Moussa, has accused the government of a “deliberate obstruction” in marketing cocoa, warning of severe consequences for thousands of farmers. He announced that the union is ready to organize a national movement to pressure the authorities.
Ivory Coast produces about 40% of the world’s cocoa, making any disruption in its marketing an international issue.
According to the union, the crisis began after 900,000 tons designated for export ran out during a period of rising global prices, when the local price was set at 2,800 CFA francs per kilogram.
With international prices declining, exporters have become hesitant to purchase new quantities at the same price, creating a bottleneck in the main ports and agricultural fields in Abidjan and San Pedro.
Kone Moussa emphasized at a press conference that the crisis is not temporary but seems contrived, aiming to pressure farmers into selling their crops for less than the announced price.
He confirmed that this situation threatens social stability in rural areas, where millions rely on cocoa as their primary source of income.
He also called for urgent state intervention to reorganize the market and ensure producers’ rights.
Economic and Social Implications
Farmers face significant difficulties in selling their crops, exacerbating their living crises. Ports are congested with goods, hindering trade flow and affecting national revenues.
On an international level, any disruption in supplies from Ivory Coast directly impacts chocolate and food product prices in global markets. The union has threatened to organize a national movement that could take the form of protests or strikes, putting the government in a sensitive position.
This crisis comes amid broader tensions between the state and producers regarding cocoa pricing mechanisms, a recurring issue with each harvest season.
Ivory Coast is a leading cocoa producer, accounting for approximately 40% of global cocoa supply. The country has faced recurring issues related to cocoa pricing and marketing, often leading to tensions between farmers and the government. These tensions typically arise during harvest seasons, highlighting the vulnerability of farmers dependent on cocoa for their livelihoods.
