Ivory Coast cuts cocoa exports after poor harvest  

The country’s cocoa regulator has reduced contract sales for the 2025/26 season from 1.7 million metric tons to 1.3 million tons.

This decision comes after two years of weak harvests caused by heavy rains, ageing plantations, and plant diseases.

The Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV), which has troubled cocoa farmers for years, has cut yields by up to 50% in some areas.

Bad weather has also damaged crops, leaving warehouses nearly empty. The government says this year’s harvest could be three to four times smaller than usual.

Cocoa makes up half of the country’s export revenue and provides work for about a fifth of the population.

However, the poor harvest has pushed cocoa prices to record highs. In 2024, prices soared to $11,000 per metric ton, compared to around $2,500 in previous years.

The price increase has affected chocolate makers around the world. Many had to raise prices, with chocolate in the United States becoming 10% more expensive in 2023.

The shortage of cocoa beans has made it harder for chocolate companies to make a profit.