Ecookim

ECOOKIM: COCOA PRODUCER BASED IN IVORY COAST

ECOOKIM are one of the largest cocoa co-operatives in Ivory Coast, supporting over 32,000 members in 32 co-operative unions. The majority of their production focuses on cocoa (92%), and the remaining 8% is in cashew production.

Members farm over 85,000 hectares of cocoa, spread across four regions of Ivory Coast, providing around 70% of the household income for those living in these regions.

These rural communities have high levels of unemployment, poor healthcare and an influx of migrants from neighbouring countries such as Mali, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria, who are looking for economic opportunities.

ECOOKIM's vision is to ensure that cocoa farmers receive a greater share of the cocoa supply chain by selling directly in the international cocoa market.

Image: Alice Kouassi Aya, ECOOKIM farmer

Shared Interest and ECOOKIM

ECOOKIM have been a Shared Interest customer since 2014, receiving loans to pay members for their cocoa when they most need it, build warehouses, purchase vehicles and invest in education, health facilities, water and sanitation. Thanks to our support, ECOOKIM's trading volumes rose from 57,000 metric tons (MT) in 2021 to 66,000 MT in 2022. During 2023, ECOOKIM fell short of their forecast, due to low production and cocoa scarcity caused by adverse weather and irregular rainfall in Ivory Coast.

President at ECOOKIM Ouattara Adama Aboulaye told us:

“The finance from Shared Interest has been utilised to support investment in diversification projects, farm maintenance and certification. The Fairtrade Premium is used for members Living Income Differential.”

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Adapting to Climate Change and EUDR

Speaking about the impacts of climate change, Ouattara said:

“The adverse weather conditions, including irregular rainfall patterns, droughts and extreme weather events, have had an impact on production. Pests and diseases could further destroy plantations, forcing farmers to cut the trees contributing to low yields and quality of cocoa.
"To mitigate these impacts, we are implementing technical assistance for 22 of our co-operatives on reforestation and agroforestry, therefore mitigating the risk on poor yields and quality.”

During our recent Producer Committee meeting in Abidjan, our team spoke to ECOOKIM about the progress of producers in their preparation for EUDR implementation, to ensure a successful transition to a sustainable, deforestation-free cocoa value chain.

Ouattara continued:

“To date we have implemented a tracking system to trace products from their origin to export. We have carried out an assessment of cocoa suppliers’ agricultural practices to ensure they meet EUDR requirements. We have developed and implemented internal policies to ensure sustainability and compliance.
"We have organised internal audits and regular inspections to ensure compliance of cocoa farms. We have centralised and organised compliance documents (audits, certificates, proof of traceability) and also carried out continuous training and awareness raising of producers on sustainable practices and EUDR requirements.”

ECOOKIM said that collaborating with their buyers to train and raise awareness among members about key requirements and traceability systems was crucial.

They confirmed they had completed geo-location mapping of 100% of their producers’ plots, which will ensure a traceable cocoa supply chain and assess deforestation risks, as required for the preparation of their due diligence reports.

Fairtrade and ECOOKIM

Fairtrade standards offer various provisions and benefits to ECOOKIM, including:

An additional Fairtrade Premium of $200 per tonne for investment in community, business and environmental projects.
An extra $300 per tonne for Fairtrade Certified organic cocoa beans.
Environmental standards to promote sound agricultural practices involving waste management, soil fertility, water use and more.
Prohibition of forced labour and child labour.

Here are some more examples of how Fairtrade Premium has supported ECOOKIM:

Two central warehouses were constructed, serving three co-operatives.
A truck was purchased by CAPEDIG co-operative for the collection and delivery of coffee beans.
Organic fertilisers were provided to increase the sustainability of cocoa production.
Disease control, pesticides, spraying equipment and personal protective equipment were provided.
Training programmes were developed to improve productivity and quality.
Educational programmes were developed to raise awareness of child labour issues.

Fairtrade represents the voices of two million small-scale farmers and workers. Learn more about how we support Fairtrade organisations here.

Aminata Bamba, ECOOKIM Sustainable Development Programme Manager, said:

“We have been using the Fairtrade Premium to set up primary schools so the children are looked after while the women go to work.”

Image: Aminata Bamba is in charge of ECOOKIM's Sustainable Development Programme. She is pictured here at one of the co-operative's warehouses.

Rising Cocoa Prices: Unwrapping the Impact on the Chocolate Industry

Around 50 million people in the world depend on cocoa for their livelihoods. But despite the popularity of chocolate, it can be a volatile way of making a living.

The dependence of developing countries on raw commodities leaves them vulnerable to price volatility, with profits concentrated in countries where the commodity is imported and processed, rather than grown. It is often farmers in developing countries - those at the end of the value chain - who suffer.

This problem was highlighted in the cocoa sector in April 2024 when, Ivory Coast announced that its cocoa farmers will finally benefit from high market prices, receiving 50% more for the remainder of the season. However, with cocoa farmers unable to meet buyer demands due to low yields, for some, this news isn’t as sweet as it might seem.

Speaking about the impact of rising cocoa prices on ECOOKIM, Aminata said:

"The funds received by ECOOKIM make it possible to finance the co-operatives for the purchase of cocoa from member producers.

As a result, producers immediately receive the money when they send their cocoa. They can therefore resolve their problems or needs.

"The current increase in cocoa price is a positive move, we hope this will impact the farmers in the months to come.”

BETTER THE BALANCE, BETTER THE WORLD.

Cocoa is vital to Ecookim members, providing 70% of their incomes, but many of their cocoa trees are now old and diseased, and need replacing. Coffee is also grown as a cash crop along with maize, rice and bananas, for family consumption.

Ecookim provides social support to members, which includes:

Support to women’s groups, providing alternative income generating projects, like the Village Saving and Loan Associations (VLSA).
Construction of a three-classroom block for a primary school, rehabilitation of 10 primary schools and distribution of 3,000 school materials.
Loans for school fees to member producers and staff.
Free distribution of treated mosquito nets to producer members.
Campaigning against child labour.
Training on Ebola disease awareness and prevention.
Construction of warehouses for two member co-operatives.
Building of bridges.
Health support for producers and their relatives and deforestation.
Environmental training against bush fire.

You can read more about Ecookim in QR 119 and QR 132.

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