For the past 30 years, Laurent Koné has been growing cocoa in his makeshift house built of clay and branches, with a tarpaulin roof and no electricity, located along a rugged dirt path in western Ivory Coast. Despite farmers like Koné helping to establish the country as a global leader in cocoa production, many are living in deepening poverty due to significant market challenges. The country struggles to sell its 'brown gold', facing liquidity issues among exporters and a significant downturn in cocoa prices on the world market.

According to a World Bank report from 2019, more than half of cocoa growers in Ivory Coast must survive on less than 757 West African francs, or approximately 1.2 euros, each day. This dire economic reality highlights the stark contrast between the wealth generated by cocoa exports and the poverty endured by the farmers who cultivate the crop. The reduction in cocoa prices impacts these farmers severely, as it diminishes their income and purchasing power, pushing them closer to the brink of hunger.

The situation raises important questions about the sustainability of the cocoa industry and the welfare of its producers. While the global demand for cocoa remains high, the benefits are not reaching those at the grassroots level. Addressing this imbalance is crucial for ensuring that cocoa farmers receive fair compensation and improve their living conditions, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and just agricultural system in Ivory Coast.