The Ivory Coast cocoa board has confirmed that the national cocoa marketing season will begin a month earlier than in previous years, synchronising its timetable with that of Ghana, the world's second‑largest cocoa producer. The adjustment, reported by The Africa Report, is intended to harmonise the two leading exporters' sales periods, which could reduce price differentials and enhance market stability.
Côte d’Ivoire, responsible for roughly 40 percent of global cocoa output, traditionally opens its marketing window in September, while Ghana starts in October. Under the new schedule, Ivorian exporters will be able to sell their beans from August onward, matching Ghana's earlier start. The change is expected to streamline the flow of cocoa to international buyers and minimise the seasonal price gaps that have occasionally emerged between the two nations.
Officials from the Ivorian cocoa board indicated that the decision was taken after consultations with industry stakeholders and regional partners. By aligning the marketing calendars, the two countries aim to present a more unified front in negotiations with multinational chocolate manufacturers and to reduce the risk of market fragmentation that can arise when export windows are out of sync.
The shift may also have implications for cocoa farmers, who could see a more predictable price environment as a result of the coordinated marketing period. However, the board cautioned that the timing of harvests remains dependent on weather conditions and that the earlier marketing window will not alter the physical harvesting calendar.
Analysts note that the move reflects growing cooperation between the Ivory Coast and Ghana, both members of the West African Cocoa Initiative, which seeks to strengthen the region's position in the global cocoa market. By presenting a coordinated supply schedule, the two nations hope to enhance bargaining power and ensure more stable revenues for producers.
The new marketing schedule is set to take effect for the upcoming cocoa season, with exporters expected to adjust their logistics and sales strategies accordingly. The alignment with Ghana marks a significant step toward greater regional integration in the cocoa sector.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by The Africa Report — original source: https://www.theafricareport.com/429717/cocoa-cote-divoire-launches-marketing-season-a-month-earlier-to-align-with-ghana/.