Ivory Coast’s CCC and Multinational Exporters Reach Agreement to Resume Mid-Crop Cocoa Purchases

Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) has reached an agreement with major international cocoa exporters to resume export contracts for the ongoing mid-crop season.

The deal, concluded with the exporters’ association GEPEX, allows the reinstatement of so-called “release purchases,” which are contracts that enable exporters to buy cocoa beans for shipment. According to multiple industry sources, the agreement follows weeks of disruption in mid-crop trade flows.

Earlier this month, only one metric ton of mid-crop cocoa had reportedly been sold for delivery through February. In recent days, however, the new arrangement has already unlocked more than 200,000 metric tons of release contracts, signaling a significant revival in commercial activity.

GEPEX represents several multinational trading houses operating in Ivory Coast, including Cargill, Olam, Sucden, Touton, Barry Callebaut, and Ecom Trading.

The agreement is expected to stabilize mid-crop supply chains and support export momentum as the season progresses.