Despite soaring global cocoa prices, millions of smallholder farmers in West Africa remain poor, according to the 2025 Cocoa Barometer report.
The 2025 Cocoa Barometer report has revealed that despite soaring cocoa prices, millions of farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria remain trapped in poverty.
Produced by a consortium of global civil society organisations under the VOICE Network, the report said farmers continue to suffer from climate shocks, poor governance, and unfair value distribution.
It noted that Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire produce over 60 per cent of the world’s cocoa, while Nigeria is projected to produce 350,000 tonnes in 2024/25. Yet, most farmers have seen no benefit from price hikes due to delayed forward sales and declining yields.
The report linked farmer poverty to child labour, deforestation, and gender inequality, adding that “1.5 million children still work in dangerous conditions” on cocoa farms.
It warned that weak policies and lack of transparency in cocoa pricing keep farmers exposed to volatile markets despite record global demand.