Ivory Coast cocoa harvest delay threatens port congestion

A delayed cocoa harvest in Ivory Coast is expected to cause significant shipping and port congestion in late 2026. The main crop is running eight to ten weeks behind schedule due to difficult weather, inadequate farm maintenance, and a strong mid-crop season.

Industry sources and exporters anticipate that the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro will face severe strain on storage capacity during November and December 2026. This surge in shipping is expected as exporters rush to move large quantities of cocoa before the European Union’s new deforestation regulations (EUDR) take effect at the end of the year.

While the Ivory Coast Coffee and Cocoa Council has publicly stated readiness for the new EU rules, internal sources and exporters express concern over the logistics of the delayed harvest. The situation may also impact Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, which faces the same regulatory deadline.