African cocoa and coffee farmers demand fair pricing amid global market growth
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
African cocoa and coffee farmers are facing worsening economic conditions despite record growth projections in the global sectors, according to the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa COCEFAAA. Adeola Adegoke, Global President of COCEFAAA, stated that while the cocoa and chocolate market is projected to rise from $169 billion in 2025 to nearly $246 billion by 2031, and the global coffee market from $284 billion today to around $486 billion by 2035, this growth is not reflected in farmer incomes. Smallholder producers are exposed to unstable pricing structures often falling below production costs, impacting their ability to afford essentials like fertilisers and healthcare. COCEFAAA describes farmers as "economic shock absorbers" and warns that this imbalance, compounded by climate change, undermines long-term sustainability. The association calls for three major policy shifts: increased investment in agricultural research and development, greater investment in local processing and value addition, and stronger regional cooperation among African producing countries. They also urge global buyers to adopt long-term purchasing agreements and invest in farmer training and climate adaptation, emphasizing that farmers must be central to the value chain for global projections to be realized.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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