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Ivory Coast Cocoa Farmers Struggle Amidst Rising Poverty

1/30/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast face severe poverty even though the country is the world's largest cocoa producer.
Oscar Toukpo, a sociologist, says farmers contend with low yields, rising costs, and debts.
The World Bank reports more than half of cocoa producers earn less than 757 CFA francs ($1.36) per day.
Many farmers have not been paid for months.
Recent government efforts to raise payments have not alleviated the plight.

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Story summary

Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast face severe poverty even though the country is the world's largest cocoa producer.
Oscar Toukpo, a sociologist, says farmers contend with low yields, rising costs, and debts.
The World Bank reports more than half of cocoa producers earn less than 757 CFA francs ($1.36) per day.
Many farmers have not been paid for months.
Recent government efforts to raise payments have not alleviated the plight.