Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) will deploy officials to the centre-eastern part of the country. This action aims to calm tensions among cocoa farmers. Farmers last week protested over unsold cocoa stocks they claim are rotting.
These protests followed a pledge by the council to purchase the beans. Farmers have not received payment for beans sold during the main crop. This fuels widespread discontent that could negatively affect the upcoming harvest.
This situation directly impacts Ivory Coast's economy. The country is the world's largest cocoa producer. Delays in payments and rotting crops create financial instability for thousands of farmers. It also threatens the quantity and quality of future cocoa exports. The cocoa sector forms a significant portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A source close to the council informed Reuters about the planned visit. CCC managers will travel to M'Batto, a town in the centre-eastern region. Police previously used tear gas on dozens of farmers in M'Batto who blocked roads. They demanded overdue payments for their cocoa.
Unsold cocoa stocks accumulated in Ivory Coast from November to December. This occurred after global prices fell sharply below local prices, which the CCC sets twice annually. The Ivorian government initiated a programme to collect these unsold beans. However, many farmers and cooperatives report they still await payment for cocoa harvested between October and March.
The payment delays have left farmers demoralised and distrustful. Albert Konan, a farmer and cooperative manager, highlighted concerns for the next harvest. “This situation will affect the next (main crop) harvest,” he stated. “Growers were counting on a lot of money to maintain their plantations,” Konan added.
In Daloa, a centre-western region, a cooperative head representing over 300 farmers reported holding about 150 metric tons of unsold beans. Some farmers have fallen ill and lack funds for medical treatment due to these delays. The Ivorian Platform for Sustainable Cocoa confirmed farmers still hold unsold main-crop stocks. Pauline Zei, manager of the platform, acknowledged the farmers' distress despite government efforts to reduce inventories.
While localised for now, the situation could escalate if unresolved. This might impact global cocoa supply and prices later. Decision-makers must urgently address these payment issues to restore farmer confidence. They also need to safeguard the integrity of the cocoa supply chain. Observing the effectiveness of the CCC's intervention will be crucial for the industry's stability.