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.

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.

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.