Ivory Coast plans to sharply reduce the price it pays cocoa farmers to between 800 and 1,000 CFA francs per kilogram, as part of measures to address mounting unsold stock, according to a report first published by Reuters.
The move will see cocoa produced next month classified under the mid-crop season instead of the main crop, marking the first time the West African nation has brought forward the start of its mid-crop season.
Under the new arrangement, farmers will receive between 800 and 1,000 CFA francs ($1.45–$1.81) per kilogram — significantly lower than the current main crop price of 2,800 CFA francs per kilogram.
According to Reuters, the decision is aimed at helping the world’s largest cocoa producer tackle a growing surplus caused by a slump in global cocoa prices. The downturn has made Ivorian cocoa comparatively expensive, resulting in unsold bags piling up inland and at ports in recent months.
Government and regulatory sources told Reuters that the pricing adjustment is intended to boost sales and ease the pressure of excess stock.
The development comes shortly after Ghana reduced its cocoa producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne — equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag — for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.
