Cocoa: Ivorian traders demand the end of the monopoly of multinationals - France 24

Abidjan (AFP)

Cocoa traders from Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer, denounced the monopoly of multinational chocolate companies in Abidjan on Tuesday and demanded a larger share of cocoa marketing contracts.

"It is absolutely essential that the six multinationals that buy in Côte d'Ivoire through their subsidiaries have the obligation to systematically allocate 20% to 30% of each of their contracts to Ivorian processors and exporters," Fabien told AFP. Guei, spokesperson for the Ivorian traders group (GNI).

"It is not a question of keeping them away from the Ivorian market, but of allowing Ivorian operators to participate in the external marketing of their country's cocoa on a long-term basis and in a more fair and balanced manner," continued Mr. Guei.

For the GNI, we must "put an end to the monopoly" of the Swiss group Barry Callebaut, the world number one in industrial chocolate, of Olam (Singapore), Cargill (United States), Ecom (Switzerland) and the French groups Sucden and Touton.

These six multinationals dominate the Ivorian export market by purchasing almost all of the national cocoa production of which more than 80% is sent to Europe.

"These multinationals favor the supply and export of beans through their subsidiaries located in Côte d'Ivoire," continued the spokesperson for the GNI, deploring "a lock exerted on local processing".

The GNI brings together national coffee and cocoa export companies including 12 bean exporters and 3 processors, representing around 300,000 tonnes.

“85% of the harvest was sold” during the marketing campaign which began in October 2020, according to the GNI.

Côte d'Ivoire produces 40% of the world's cocoa.

Brown gold represents 10% of Ivorian GDP and, with 40% of export earnings, is the country's main source of foreign exchange, according to the World Bank.

The country has nearly one million producers who provide income to five million people, or about one-fifth of the population.

It produces around 2 million tonnes per year, but only processes less than 500,000.

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