Coffee and cocoa sectors face price volatility and producer unrest

Tensions are rising in the coffee and cocoa sectors due to price volatility and production challenges. In Côte d'Ivoire, the National Union of Coffee-Cocoa Producers (SYNAP-CI) has issued a strike notice for September 16. Producers are protesting the fixed prices for the new campaign—1,200 FCFA per kilogram for cocoa and 1,300 FCFA for coffee—citing rising production costs, unsold stocks from the previous season, and difficult traceability requirements.

Globally, coffee bean prices have surged by 37% in one year, rising from 7.71 euros to 10.59 euros between August 2024 and August 2025, according to the International Coffee Organization. This spike is attributed to climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods in major producing nations, alongside increasing demand in China, South Korea, and India.

In France, artisanal roasters are advocating for a shift toward specialty coffee to ensure fair producer remuneration and environmental sustainability. While the industrial model is criticized for contributing to deforestation and lower producer pay, the specialty model focuses on agroforestry and higher quality, though it results in higher consumer costs.