The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has warned that global cocoa prices could once again surpass $10,000 per tonne in the coming seasons due to declining production across West Africa.
In a statement signed by the Global President of the association, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, COCEFAAA attributed the gloomy outlook to worsening climate conditions the spread of crop diseases and a growing shift in investment away from smallholder farmers toward lab-grown cocoa alternatives.
According to the association, several long-standing structural challenges continue to threaten cocoa production in the region including ageing plantations the devastating effects of Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) extreme weather events and the declining interest of young people in cocoa farming.
COCEFAAA noted that climate-related shocks have negatively affected yields in major cocoa-producing countries while inadequate investment in farm rehabilitation and support for smallholder producers has further weakened the sector.
The association expressed concern that increasing attention being given to synthetic and lab-grown cocoa products could reduce investment in conventional cocoa farming and undermine the livelihoods of millions of farmers who depend on the crop.
Comrade Adegoke stressed the need for urgent interventions to rejuvenate ageing farms, strengthen disease management systems and encourage youth participation in cocoa production.
He also called for increased investment in research, improved planting materials and climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance productivity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the cocoa industry.
COCEFAAA warned that failure to address these challenges could result in further supply shortages and renewed spikes in global cocoa prices, with implications for the international chocolate industry and consumer markets worldwide.
The association reiterated the importance of supporting smallholder farmers, who remain the backbone of Africa’s cocoa sector in order to secure the future of cocoa production and maintain the continent’s position in the global market.
