Africa’s Cocoa Farmers Sound Alarm Over Price Volatility, Warn of Threat to Industry’s Future

Africa’s Cocoa Farmers Sound Alarm Over Price Volatility, Warn of Threat to Industry’s Future

Cocoa farmers across Africa have raised serious concerns over the persistent volatility in global cocoa prices, warning that the continued instability threatens the livelihoods of millions of farmers and the long-term sustainability of the continent’s cocoa industry.

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has identified fluctuating market prices as one of the most significant challenges confronting cocoa production in Africa, despite the continent’s position as the world’s leading cocoa-producing region.

Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta Lagos 2026, scheduled to hold on October 7 and 8 in Lagos, the Global President of COCEFAAA, Adeola Adegoke, said African cocoa farmers have continued to demonstrate resilience in the face of years of economic uncertainty, declining profitability and market instability.

According to Adegoke, although Africa accounts for approximately 70 percent of global cocoa production, the farmers who form the backbone of the industry continue to struggle with unstable and unpredictable incomes due to factors largely beyond their control.

He noted that repeated fluctuations in cocoa prices have created uncertainty throughout the agricultural value chain, discouraging investments in farm expansion, modernisation and productivity-enhancing technologies.

“Market volatility remains a major threat to cocoa development across Africa. The constant fluctuations in prices have created uncertainty for farmers, discouraged investment and affected the long-term sustainability of the sector,” Adegoke stated.

He stressed that many cocoa farmers are unable to effectively plan for future production because they are uncertain about the returns they will receive after harvest. This uncertainty, he said, limits farmers’ ability to invest in improved seedlings, farm maintenance, irrigation systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Industry stakeholders have long argued that while cocoa remains one of Africa’s most important agricultural exports, producers receive only a fraction of the final value generated from the global chocolate and confectionery market. As a result, many farmers remain vulnerable to poverty despite cultivating one of the world's most valuable cash crops.

COCEFAAA observed that major cocoa-producing nations including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria have sustained global cocoa supply for decades, yet farmers in these countries continue to bear the burden of market shocks, inflationary pressures and unpredictable commodity pricing.

The association expressed concern that the lack of stable pricing mechanisms and adequate farmer protection measures could discourage younger generations from entering cocoa farming, potentially creating future production challenges for the industry.

“Despite the critical role African farmers play in supplying cocoa to the world, many continue to face unstable livelihoods due to factors beyond their control. This situation calls for stronger collaboration among governments, industry players and development partners to protect farmers’ incomes and investments,” the association stated.

Experts have repeatedly warned that without deliberate interventions aimed at ensuring fair compensation and greater value retention within producing countries, Africa’s cocoa sector may struggle to achieve sustainable growth.

In response to these concerns, COCEFAAA said the upcoming Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta Lagos 2026 will serve as a strategic platform for policymakers, farmers, exporters, processors, investors and development organisations to explore practical solutions to the numerous challenges facing the cocoa and coffee industries.

The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss innovative approaches to strengthening farmer incomes, improving market access and enhancing the competitiveness of African cocoa and coffee products in international markets.

Among the key issues slated for discussion are African farmers’ income frameworks, de-commoditisation strategies aimed at increasing local value addition, agroforestry expansion, carbon credit opportunities, integrated soil fertility management and compliance with emerging international regulations.

Particular attention will also be given to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a policy framework that requires exporters to demonstrate that agricultural commodities entering the European market are not linked to deforestation.

Industry leaders believe that while the regulation presents compliance challenges for many smallholder farmers, it also offers an opportunity for African producers to adopt more sustainable production methods and strengthen their position in premium global markets.

As global demand for sustainably sourced cocoa continues to grow, stakeholders say addressing market volatility remains critical to securing the future of millions of farming households and ensuring the continued contribution of Africa’s cocoa industry to global food and agricultural systems.

With cocoa serving as a major source of foreign exchange earnings for several African economies, calls are growing for stronger policies, enhanced market protections and greater investment in farmer welfare to ensure that those who produce the crop can enjoy more stable and rewarding livelihoods.