The future of cocoa and coffee plantations in Côte d'Ivoire's Toulépleu department has sparked concerns among thousands of producers and their families. They fear losing their land due to potential eviction threats expressed by Koné Moussa, the national president of the Ivorian Agricultural Progress Syndicate (SYNAP-CI). This issue was central to a gathering organized on October 29, 2026, in Toulépleu.
The meeting, attended by over 8,000 producers from across the department and surrounding areas, was both a show of support for Koné Moussa and a platform for the producers to express their concerns. The producers have been working on these plantations since 1971, but now face pressure to vacate the land, allegedly because it falls within classified forest areas. Palm-CI's planned activities have been cited as a reason for the potential evictions.
Koné Moussa criticized the situation, stating that producers who have cultivated the land for decades are being asked to leave to make way for Palm-CI's development projects in Toulépleu. This situation jeopardizes the livelihoods of many families dependent on these agricultural operations. Moussa plans to engage in dialogue with authorities and address concerns through letters to relevant officials.
In addition to land security concerns, producers at the meeting also raised issues with the current cocoa price, set at 1,200 FCFA per kilogram, which they deem insufficient given their production costs. Moussa mentioned that some buyers offer between 1,400 and 1,800 FCFA per kilogram, raising questions about the official price guarantee.
The issue of cocoa stocks that have not been collected, despite the government's 291 billion FCFA allocation to support commercialization, was also highlighted. Anomalies in the traceability system were noted, with some producers receiving notifications for sales they claim not to have made.
Koné Moussa called for the resignation of the general director of the Coffee and Cocoa Council, Koné Yves Brahima, and announced plans to involve the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in addressing Ivorian producers' concerns. Further mobilization, including a potential gathering in Abidjan, was also announced.
The producers reaffirmed their support for Koné Moussa, calling for better living conditions, justice, and fair consideration. The situation in Toulépleu underscores the critical issue of the future for producers and their families if they lose the land that supports their livelihoods.
Key points
- The main concerns of Ivorian cocoa and coffee producers in Toulépleu include potential land loss to Palm-CI and dissatisfaction with the current cocoa price.
- Over 8,000 producers attended a meeting in Toulépleu to show support for their union leader and express their concerns.
- The producers are seeking dialogue with authorities and considering further action, including involving regional economic communities.
