Protest threat to Ivory Coast cocoa
3 December 1999
Protest threat to Ivory Coast cocoa
COCOA production on the Ivory Coast, the worlds leading producer of the crop, is enveloped in confusion after nine days of protests by farmers
Their action has paralysed up-country marketing and fuelled a jump in world prices.
Protesting farmers were complaining about the newly-privatised market that has exposed them to low prices.
At one stage, they threatened to burn part of this seasons crop of more than 1.1 million tonnes.
Farmers anger has been partly addressed by the announcement this week that the Ivorian Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council would introduce a stabilisation system, with a buffer stock and a system of forward sales.
Nevertheless, there are still concerns that the council will not be able to finance such an operation.