Sustainability for Whom? Why Cocoa’s Green and Ethical Systems Still Leave Farmers Exposed
The cocoa sector has embraced "sustainability" as a branding and compliance rallying point, deploying traceability tools, EU deforestation rules, and a growing cadre of ESG specialists. Yet recent stock build‑ups in Côte d’Ivoire and delayed payments reveal that farmers remain financially exposed when markets falter. While companies gain market access and reputational shields, the promised benefits rarely reach the growers who face hunger, school fee delays, and reduced health care. The gap between sustainability metrics and on‑the‑ground resilience is widening.
They Say Farmers Are Underpaid. So Why Does Cheaper Cocoa Bring Such Relief?
The cocoa market has swung from record highs—above $4,000 per metric ton—to a sharp decline, leaving Ghanaian and Ivorian farmers unpaid for delivered beans. While chocolate makers scramble to cut margins, shrink bar sizes, or substitute ingredients, smallholder growers remain...
Re: Dear Kwame: Cocoa Trade Letters #1
The article uses Salomey’s experience in Ghana to illustrate a systemic cash‑flow squeeze at the farmgate of the cocoa trade. Farmers deliver beans, yet payments are delayed because the state‑run marketing board routes sales through a long, opaque export chain....