Ivory Coast’s New Digital Cocoa System Raises Supply Delay Fears

Cocoa purchases in Ivory Coast are slowing as traders, cooperatives and buying agents adjust to a new electronic traceability system introduced ahead of stricter European Union anti-deforestation rules. Ivory Coast produces about 40% of the world’s cocoa and sends roughly 70% of its exports to Europe. Exporters fear the transition could delay buying and deliveries early in the 2026/27 season, especially in October and November. From September 1, all cocoa purchases must use an electronic producer card. The system is designed to track cocoa from origin through the supply chain and show that it was not produced through recent deforestation. The EU rules are due to take effect on January 1, 2027, but many participants in the cocoa trade are still learning how to use the new digital process.

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