Agriculture: Cocoa Prices in Freefall as Tonne Plummets from $12,000 to $2,000

Cocoa prices are in freefall. The price per ton has plummeted from $10,200 to approximately $2,000. According to the price list for the DRC’s main exports for the week of February 16–21, 2026, 1kg of cocoa is trading between $4.01 and $3.86. This downward trend is alarming cocoa farmers, who are calling on the government for sustainable support for the value chain. To better understand the current situation, we met with an expert in the field.

Journalist: Could you introduce yourself?

Thierry Munga: I am Thierry Munga, Director of the Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative and a researcher at Centre d’Expertise en Gestion Minière (CEGEMI), Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB).

Journalist: What is the current state of the cocoa sector?

Thierry Munga: The sector is going through a difficult period. To understand the stakes, I focus on three pillars: the structural challenges of producing countries, international and local factors, and applicable solutions in the DRC.

Journalist: What are the challenges facing the cocoa sector?

Thierry Munga: We often hear: « When prices drop, it’s just the principle of supply and demand. » But behind this cliché lies a more complex reality. In countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, some regions are still affected by the swollen shoot virus, aging plantations, and the exodus of youth to cities. Cocoa farming is often becoming the domain of the elderly, while the youth leave the villages.

Journalist: Is this the situation leading to the price crash?

Thierry Munga: Even though global production is stagnating, international speculators are exploiting port saturation to negotiate future harvests. This anticipation weakens prices, accentuating the decline even before the next campaign begins.

Journalist: So, is it mostly international factors affecting the price?

Thierry Munga: Partly, yes. We note the absence of continental programs to stabilize prices, and interventions by NGOs or cooperatives are often limited to a local scale.

Journalist: What about factors internal to the Congolese context?

Thierry Munga: Regarding the Congolese context, we note the drop in international prices. There is also the issue of product quality. It is often characterized by incomplete fermentation and high moisture levels. Added to this are geographical isolation and high transport costs from production zones to transit centers. The security situation is also a very significant factor for the cocoa producer.

Journalist: As we know, the cocoa sector involves many actors, including intermediaries. How does this situation influence the cocoa value chain?

Thierry Munga: In this sector, producers have low bargaining power. This gives weight to intermediaries and leads to a price drop at the local level. Smallholders are not in direct contact with the buyers, which is a major challenge. Even if global production increases, these structural problems amplify the price drop on the local market.

Journalist: What is the solution for the DRC?

Thierry Munga: Even if the price of raw beans drops, processed products like cocoa powder and cocoa butter do not necessarily follow this trend; today, they are priced at $12 to $15 per kg. Demand for these products remains strong, and prices stay moderate to high. Investing in local processing can therefore create added value and generate extra margins, even during price slumps.

Journalist: You mentioned major cocoa producers in Africa; does the DRC have potential in the sector?

Thierry Munga: Yes, the DRC has great potential. More than 24 provinces have arable land available for cocoa cultivation. The DRC has a favorable climate, and we are seeing a growing interest in cocoa through agroforestry.

Journalist: Given the opportunities and challenges, what are your recommendations for the various actors in this value chain?

Thierry Munga: If we want to profit from this sector, we must renew plantations on a continental scale and strengthen training on fermentation and drying to optimize quality. We must also structure cooperatives to avoid « pocket cooperatives » controlled by intermediaries. Finally, we must improve direct market access without going through intermediaries who exploit producers.

Journalist: Any final words?

Thierry Munga: The cocoa sector in the DRC is at a turning point. With renewed plantations, well-structured cooperatives, and investment in local processing, it is possible not only to survive the price drop but also to create a more resilient and profitable industry for producers.

Read also: South Kivu: PNKB adopts the « cocoa » project of the EKAGRI consortium, Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative, ADIF, and CEAM.

Reminder: Fluctuations in cocoa prices have a direct impact on the Congolese economy, which is heavily dependent on raw material exports. In the DRC, the main cocoa production areas are located in the North Kivu and Équateur provinces. According to data from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC), cocoa exports have generated over $50 million USD in the DRC.