Cocoa purchases in Ivory Coast, the world's largest producer, have struggled to take off since the launch of the 2025/2026 cocoa season, several industry sources told Reuters. The reasons: particularly high purchase prices and what are considered insufficient quality of available stocks.
Since October 1, the Ivorian government has set 2,800 CFA francs (about $5,05) the guaranteed producer price, one of the highest levels ever reached in the country. A measure welcomed by growers, but which undermines the margins of buyers and exporters, already faced with fluctuating global demand and rising logistics costs.
"This is a very high price compared to normal standards. Buyers are hesitant to position themselves massively until the international market adjusts," confides a trader based in Abidjan. Several local cooperatives confirm that the volume of cocoa collected remains well below that of the same period last year.
Added to this is the problem of quality of beans, a consequence of the unfavorable climatic conditions that affected the last harvest. Some of the available cocoa would have a humidity level higher than export standards, further complicating transactions.
Ivory Coast, which provides nearly 45% of world cocoa production, plays a key role in market stability. The government says it wants to guarantee a fairer income for producers, while maintaining the country's competitiveness against Ghana, its neighbor and main competitor.
But for the moment, this high price policy risks slowing down the start of the campaign, in a context where major international buyers are adopting a wait-and-see position.
