Cocoa production in Ivory Coast is expected to remain close to the disappointing levels of the previous season, according to the country’s Agriculture Minister,
Adverse weather conditions and challenging crop circumstances have continued into the 2024/25 season, meaning the outlook for production is not significantly better.
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa supplier, along with Ghana, saw a sharp decline in output for the 2023/24 season, which contributed to a spike in international cocoa prices to record highs.
Minister Adjoumani noted on February 24 that it is still too early to provide an accurate forecast, but the trend appears similar to last year’s results. A Reuters poll of analysts also predicted that production for the upcoming season will be around 1.80 million metric tons, a slight increase from 1.76 million in 2023/24. Recent rainfall has improved prospects for the mid-crop, which runs from April to September, following the main harvest season from October to March. The government is also tackling long-term issues like the effects of climate change and disease by focusing on replanting and agroforestry measures, which should gradually enhance production in the next few years.
The surge in cocoa prices has also spurred illegal exports of cocoa beans, with estimates suggesting that between 100,000 and 200,000 tons may have been smuggled into neighbouring countries like Guinea. Although this practice was rampant earlier in the season, Minister Adjoumani stated that government efforts to curb the illegal trade have been successful. Meanwhile, the country is also making strides towards self-sufficiency in rice production, with investment in seeds and machinery helping to narrow the gap between production and consumption.