Marketing in West Africa

The FCC is working closely together with USAID and other organisations to ensure the best possible use of financial resources allocated to addressing the issues of liberalisation and sustainability projects in West Africa. The Federation recognises the importance of a truly sustainable tree-crop economy as a key element for the future of the agricultural markets and is at present, considering system proposals which may have a positive impact on the diversity, quality and longevity of the cocoa market. Such systems should allow for the development of farmers-groups within a structure that has the support of the banking, trade and logistics sectors.

Price transparency and a fair platform for trade are key factors to be taken into account. Buyers may also wish to have the ability to track commodity parcels through the supply chain, at least to the farmers-group level which will help to address the increasing call for food safety and traceability.

Although focused on cocoa, such system proposals should not be restricted to one commodity. Farmers-groups should be able to make the national and international trade aware of the quality, quantity and location of the cash and food crops of the farmers they represent. Such goods would be independently quality assessed, weighed and stored in independent warehouses, with warehouse receipts/warrants and quality certificates issued.