KEY POINTS
- Five officials suspended over accusations of aiding cocoa smuggling.
- Illegal cocoa exports exploit higher prices in Guinea and Liberia.
- Smuggling impacts cocoa availability and threatens Ivory Coast’s export market.
The chief of staff of Ivory Coast’s army has suspended five high-ranking officials accused of aiding cocoa smuggling across the country’s western borders.
The officials, tasked with combating such trafficking in the border town of Sipilou, were implicated in an investigation into the illegal export of cocoa to Guinea and Liberia.
Since the start of the 2024/25 season in October, an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 metric tons of cocoa, valued at millions of dollars, have been smuggled across borders, according to industry sources.
Also, exporters say this has negatively impacted cocoa availability at ports, threatening the sector’s stability.
Corruption uncovered in border enforcement operations
The suspended officials include Sipilou’s prefect, police commissioner, customs head, gendarmerie brigade commander, and the head of the armed forces detachment.
However, investigations revealed that corrupt authorities accepted bribes averaging 15 million CFA ($23,500) per trailer truck to turn a blind eye to smugglers’ activities.
According to Reuters, traffickers have exploited price discrepancies between Ivory Coast and neighboring Guinea, where cocoa beans fetch up to 5,000 CFA per kilogram, compared to the Ivorian farm gate price of 1,800 CFA.
“In Sipilou, Danane, Man, and Ouaninou, it’s well known that corrupt officials facilitate trafficking due to the high sums involved,” said Daouda Doumbia, a cocoa tracker in the Tonkpi region.
Impact on the cocoa industry and export markets
Exporters are worried about the rising influence of smuggling, saying subdued cocoa supply has already been realized at the ports.
“This is good news but it comes too late,” said one executive in response to the suspensions.
Drissa Konate, a buyer in Ouaninou, reported witnessing dozens of trailer trucks crossing the border into Guinea between October and January.
“The profits in smuggling are enormous, and stopping it will be very difficult,” he admitted.
Measures to tackle smuggling are in place as Ivory Coast struggles to sustain itself as a global market leader in cocoa production.
