The Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) and the Ivorian Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (PICD) have both expressed the need for action to mirror the commitments made by the European Union in the Brussels Declaration.
At the 5th World Cocoa Conference, the focus was on ensuring a fair distribution of value throughout the cocoa supply chain to guarantee a better living income for African farmers.
Recent weeks have seen a significant spike in cocoa prices, attributed to poorer-than-anticipated harvests in countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast, major cocoa producers in West Africa. This has put pressure on cocoa supplies globally, leading to a surge in prices.
The extreme weather conditions in key cocoa-producing nations have contributed to the lower harvests and subsequent rise in prices, reaching over $10,000 per ton at one point before settling around $9,622 per ton. The aging cocoa trees have also played a role in the reduced yields, as they are more vulnerable to diseases and require higher maintenance costs.
Despite the spike in prices, cocoa farmers are still facing challenges with rising production expenses and lower crop outputs. In a joint statement released on May 6, 2024, the GCCP and PICD pledged to monitor and report on the progress of agreed-upon interventions to ensure greater accountability.
The two platforms actively participated in the World Cocoa Conference in Brussels and commended the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) for organizing the successful event. While acknowledging the ICCO’s focus on cocoa purchase prices, they expressed dissatisfaction with the limited representation of Ghanaian producer organizations and NGOs on the discussion panels.
Moving forward, it is crucial for stakeholders in the cocoa industry to work together to address the challenges faced by farmers and ensure sustainable practices for the future.
