Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s top cocoa producer, began its 2025–2026 marketing season on October 1 with a weaker start than expected. Early port arrivals reached 48,000 tons between October 1 and 12, down 52% from the same period last season, according to exporters cited by Reuters.

The sluggish pace points to a slow harvest across major cocoa-growing regions, as producers face poor road access and heavy rains that have delayed deliveries to ports in Abidjan and San Pedro.

Farmers interviewed by Reuters across the cocoa belt said above-average rainfall during the first week of October made many rural roads impassable, slowing down transport to collection centers. However, they noted that the rains have also nourished crops and could lead to better yields later in the season.

While Ivorian authorities have not yet released official production forecasts, independent market advisory firm N’kalo said in its latest report that output this season should exceed that of the past two years.

According to data from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Côte d’Ivoire’s production fell below 2 million tons during the 2022–2023 season. Output dropped 25% to 1.67 million tons in 2023–2024 before rebounding 10.5% to around 1.85 million tons in 2024–2025.

The government maintained the minimum farmgate price at CFA2,800 ($5) per kilogram for the current season—the highest in the country’s history.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle 

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum