In cocoa’s heartland, African farmers seek new opportunities

In the shadow of towering cocoa trees, Odette Kouakou walks among her crops, carefully removing dead foliage and gently tapping the yellow pods that hang from the branches. Her hands move with practiced ease, yet her mind is preoccupied. For the past month, she has not received payment for nearly 400 pounds of cocoa she harvested, leaving her with a financial shortfall of approximately $1,000. The harvest season, usually a time of celebration in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa-growing regions, has become a source of quiet despair for many farmers like her. Côte d’Ivoire, often referred to as the heartland of cocoa production, plays a central role in the global chocolate industry. Nearly a quarter of the nation's population, between six and eight million people, rely on cocoa farming for their livelihoods. The country accounts for about 40% of the world’s cocoa supply, producing two million tons annually, equivalent to roughly 28 billion dark chocolate bars. Yet despite these impressive figures, many farmers remain trapped in cycles of poverty, unable to benefit from rising chocolate prices. The current situation reflects broader challenges within the cocoa sector. Chocolate prices have surged in recent years, climbing by 23% in the United States since 2024. However, these increases have not translated into higher incomes for Ivorian farmers. Instead, they continue to face the volatility of global commodity markets, which dictate the value of their product. With little control over pricing, many farmers struggle to make ends meet, especially after years of economic instability. The global cocoa crisis began in 2023, when extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall followed by prolonged drought, significantly reduced crop yields in West Africa, the region responsible for 70% of the world’s cocoa. At the same time, the ongoing war in Ukraine disrupted fertilizer supplies, further increasing costs for Ivorian farmers already facing hardship. As a result, many abandoned their farms, either due to financial strain or the risk of losing their entire investment. Jean Paul Aka, head of the sustainable development and climate change unit at the United Nations Development Programme in Côte d’Ivoire, explains that farmers operate based on economic logic. “If cocoa is not bringing in any money, they’re going to move onto something else,” he says. This sentiment underscores the precariousness of the industry, where environmental and geopolitical factors directly impact both production and profitability. In response to the crisis, the Ivorian government took decisive action. During his reelection campaign in late 2024, President Alassane Ouattara announced a record-high minimum price for cocoa, setting it at 2,800 CFA francs ($5) per kilogram, a 200% increase from 2023 levels. Farmers initially welcomed the decision, believing it would provide much-needed stability. Marcelin Aka, a cocoa grower, expressed optimism, stating, “We felt optimistic when the president set that high price.” Despite these efforts, the reality on the ground remains complex. While higher prices offer temporary relief, they do not address deeper structural issues within the industry. Experts argue that Côte d’Ivoire must diversify its approach to cocoa, moving beyond mere cultivation and exportation toward processing and value-added products. Only then could the country fully capitalize on its position as a leading producer. For now, farmers like Odette Kouakou continue to navigate the uncertainties of their trade, hoping for better days ahead. Their stories highlight the urgent need for systemic change, one that ensures the prosperity of both the people who cultivate cocoa and the consumers who enjoy the sweet rewards of their labor.