Ivory Coast Accelerates Mid-Crop Season to Slash Cocoa Farmgate Prices Amid Global Slump

Ivory Coast moves up its cocoa mid-crop season to March 1, 2026, to reduce farmer prices and clear excess stock amid a global price slump.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 7:07 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Reuters via ESM

A Historic Shift in the Cocoa Calendar

In an unprecedented move to stabilize its struggling agricultural sector, the Ivory Coast government has decided to bring forward the start of the cocoa mid-crop season to March 1. This marks the first time the world’s top producer has altered its seasonal schedule. Previously, the mid-crop spanned from April to September; under the new directive, it will run from March to August. Government and regulator sources confirmed that this shift is a direct response to a crisis of excess stock caused by a significant downturn in global cocoa prices.

Price Reductions to Stimulate Exports

The primary objective of the early season launch is to allow the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) to reset the farmgate price. The current main crop price of 2,800 CFA francs ($5.07) per kg has made Ivorian cocoa significantly more expensive than global market rates, leading to a backlog of unsold beans at inland warehouses and ports. The new mid-crop price is expected to be set between 800 and 1,000 CFA francs ($1.45–$1.81) per kg. This sharp reduction is intended to make exports more attractive to international buyers and alleviate the financial burden on the state.

Following the Ghanaian Model

Ivory Coast’s policy change follows a similar move by Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer, which recently cut its farmer prices to align with the global market. Ivorian officials noted that maintaining high guaranteed prices required a government subsidy of up to 2,200 CFA francs per kilogram—a level described as "completely unsustainable" for the national budget. By synchronizing with Ghana’s pricing strategy, Ivory Coast hopes to prevent cross-border smuggling and present a unified front to global markets.