Cocoa production and exports plunge in the Ivory Coast

Ivorian cocoa production and exports have plunged in the 2015-2016 season compared to the 2014-2015 season.

The Ivorian information minister said on Wednesday that the 12.6% decrease was due to climate change and drought.

“Production decreased to 1.565 million tonnes for the 2015-2016 campaign as compared to the 1.791 million tonnes in the 2014-2015 campaign,” Bruno Kone said.

He added that exports also decreased from 1.622 million tonnes to 1.548 million tonnes.

The government announced that the cocoa buying price for the next season starting October 1 will increase by 10% which according to the minister, is “good news for peasant farmers whose incomes will continue to grow”.

Cocoa is a vital cash crop for the Ivory Coast which according to the World Bank, represents 15% of GDP, over 50% of export earnings and two thirds of the jobs and incomes of the population.