Ivory Coast Cocoa Farmgate and Grinding — 2026-10-27

Top developments

September grindings jump 46.6% amid season start

Data released in mid-October by the exporters' association GEPEX showed that Ivory Coast's cocoa grindings rose 46.6% year-on-year in September to 49,517 metric tons. This significant increase brings the total grind for the 2025/26 season (which began in October 2025) to 650,689 metric tons by the end of September, a 10.6% increase from the previous year's 588,194 metric tons. This surge indicates strong demand for processing capacity despite earlier concerns about supply volumes.

Heavy rains delay harvest and support prices

In late October 2026, cocoa prices on the ICE exchanges rebounded partly due to reports that heavy rains in the Ivory Coast are hindering farmer access to cocoa farms. These weather conditions are delaying the delivery of beans just as the new crop harvest begins, creating a supply bottleneck that supports price stability. The delays have contributed to smaller deliveries from the Ivory Coast, which traders cite as a primary factor keeping December futures contracts elevated.

EU Deforestation Regulation compliance costs rise

A new analysis published on October 26, 2026, titled "The New Price of Market Access," highlights the financial burden of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on West African cocoa exporters. As the regulation takes effect for large companies in December 2026, exporters in Ivory Coast and Nigeria are facing high costs for digital traceability and geolocation mapping of farms to prove deforestation-free sourcing. This compliance mandate is raising concerns about potential supply disruptions and increased costs for chocolate manufacturers relying on West African beans.

Global grinding demand exceeds forecasts

While local Ivorian data is strong, broader global trends show that cocoa processing in Europe and Asia exceeded expectations in the third quarter of 2026. This "roar back" in chocolate demand suggests a stronger-than-anticipated recovery in global consumption after years of elevated prices, which may further tighten supply balances for origin countries like Ivory Coast.

Local view

Local Ivorian media and producer representatives have continued to voice dissatisfaction with the fixed farmgate price of 1,200 FCFA/kg set for the 2026-2027 campaign. In October 2026, specific producer groups in the Sikensi department publicly rejected calls for a strike against this price, choosing instead to engage with the government, highlighting a fractured local response to pricing policies. Regional observers note that this price remains among the lowest for major producing countries, putting pressure on farmers who face rising input costs.

Context & numbers

• Farmgate Price: Fixed at 1,200 FCFA/kg for the 2026-2027 main crop, down from a record 2,800 FCFA/kg in the previous year.
• Grinding Volume: 49,517 MT in September 2026 (+46.6% YoY); 650,689 MT cumulative for the 2025/26 season.
• EUDR Deadline: Large companies must comply with EU Deforestation Regulation starting December 30, 2026.

On the radar

• EUDR Implementation: The December 2026 deadline for large companies is the most critical upcoming date for Ivorian exporters, with traceability systems being stress-tested in the coming weeks.
• Mid-Crop Arrivals: Traders are closely monitoring port arrivals in November to see if the rain-induced delays from October persist or if a catch-up shipment occurs.
• Swollen Shoot Disease: While no new data was released this week, the ongoing threat of swollen shoot disease, which puts 15% of supplies at risk according to earlier studies, remains a structural concern for the 2026/27 crop outlook.