Farmers expected to burn cocoa crop

26 November 1999



Farmers expected to burn cocoa crop

IVORY COAST farmers have threatened to burn their cocoa crop in protest at low prices blamed on trade liberalisation and a world slump.

The government has ordered a private sector trade organisation to try to improve the situation and some suggestions have already been made.

One has involved regulating bean size and thereby cutting exports. Another has involved a straight limit on exports.

Farmers are now receiving less than they need to maintain trees.

• Ivory Coast and Ghana in cocoa plan, FWi, 16 July, 1999
• Talks on liberalising cocoa trade, FWi, 12 July, 1999
  
• Financial Times 26/11/99 page 38