Cocoa farmers across Africa have expressed growing concern over continuous market price fluctuations, warning that instability in the cocoa trade is undermining livelihoods, discouraging investment, and threatening the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) said the volatility remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry, despite Africa accounting for about 70 percent of global cocoa production.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta Lagos 2026 scheduled for October 7–8, the organisation’s Global President, Adeola Adegoke, said African farmers continue to show resilience in the face of unstable prices that significantly affect income and productivity.
He noted that while major producing countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria sustain global supply, farmers often bear the harshest impact of global market shocks.
“Market volatility remains a major threat to cocoa development across Africa… it creates uncertainty for farmers and discourages long-term investment,” Adegoke said.
COCEFAAA stressed that the sector’s challenges require stronger cooperation between governments, industry stakeholders, and development partners to stabilise incomes and strengthen value chains.
The group also highlighted the need for reforms including improved farmer income frameworks, agroforestry expansion, carbon credit opportunities, soil management systems, and compliance with international regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
The alliance added that the upcoming forum will serve as a platform for stakeholders—including farmers, exporters, policymakers, researchers, and investors—to develop sustainable solutions to price instability and market access challenges.
It further announced plans to formally launch COCEFAAA as a pan-African organisation aimed at advocating fair pricing, promoting sustainable farming practices, empowering youth and women, and strengthening resilience across cocoa and coffee-producing communities.
