African cocoa farmers have raised the alarm over persistent fluctuations in cocoa prices, warning that the trend is threatening livelihoods, discouraging investment and undermining the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The concern was expressed by the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) ahead of the Cocoa and Coffee Fiesta Lagos 2026 scheduled for October 7 and 8.
Speaking on Wednesday, COCEFAAA Global President, Adeola Adegoke, described market volatility as one of the biggest challenges confronting cocoa farmers across the continent.
According to him, Africa produces about 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa, yet many farmers continue to battle unstable incomes due to unpredictable market prices.
“Market volatility remains a major threat to cocoa development across Africa. Constant price fluctuations have created uncertainty for farmers, discouraged investment and affected the long-term sustainability of the sector,” Adegoke said.
He noted that despite the critical role played by farmers in cocoa-producing countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria, they often bear the burden of market shocks and unstable prices.
Adegoke called for stronger collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders and development partners to safeguard farmers’ incomes and strengthen the cocoa value chain.
He said the forthcoming Cocoa and Coffee Fiesta would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to challenges facing the sector, including price instability, market access, sustainability and regulatory compliance.
The association also stressed the need for greater regional cooperation among cocoa-producing nations, saying a united approach would help protect farmers’ interests and build a more resilient industry.
COCEFAAA further disclosed that the event would feature the official launch of the alliance as the first pan-African membership organisation dedicated to cocoa and coffee farmers.
The group said its mission is to promote fair pricing, improve market access, support sustainable production, empower women and youths, and strengthen climate resilience in farming communities across Africa.
