The purchase price of cocoa from farmers in Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer, has been raised by 22.2%, to a record amount of 2,200 CFA francs (3.35 euros) per kilo, for the intermediate harvest, after the historic levels of world prices in 2024. Details from Julia Guggenheim, France 24's correspondent in Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast sells cocoa beans in advance and the purchase price is set by the State. It is therefore less sensitive to market fluctuations - both up and down - than in other countries such as Cameroon, a more modest producer, where the system is liberalized

In September 2024, the purchase price for the main crop was set at 1,800 CFA francs (2.7 euros), an amount that was already historic. In 2023, the price was 1,000 CFA francs (1.5 euros) per kilo

"After analyzing the components of the early sale of cocoa, the price per kilogram of well-fermented, well-roasted and well-dried cocoa increased by 22.2% and is set at a record price,” announced Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, during a ceremony in Abidjan.

I would like to announce to you on behalf of the President of the Republic that the kilogram of cocoa (...) is fixed at 2,200 CFA francs”, for the intermediate harvest which lasts until October, he added.

In addition, Minister Adjoumani announced the effective implementation of universal health coverage (CMU) for producers. Of the 1,105,000 cocoa and coffee producers identified, 700,000 will first be affected by the operation, as they are already registered with Health Insurance

A little over six months before the next presidential election, Estelle Konan, spokesperson for the producers, thanked President Ouattara and said she was “relieved” by these announcements. However, she pointed to problems that are “not resolved”, without giving further details