Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is exploring a new partnership with major global chocolate manufacturers aimed at improving farmers’ incomes and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.

Agriculture Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné met on Wednesday in Abidjan with a delegation from the Geneva-based TogetherCocoa Foundation, represented by board member Alastair Child and executives from its founding member companies: Mars, Hershey, Nestlé, Mondelēz International and Lindt & Sprüngli.

The discussions focused on the challenges facing the cocoa industry, efforts to improve the living conditions of cocoa-growing households and opportunities for collaboration between the foundation and the Ivorian government.

The TogetherCocoa Foundation was established by five of the world's leading chocolate companies with the objective of promoting a more sustainable and resilient cocoa supply chain while supporting farming communities across producing countries.

Koné welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving the incomes and livelihoods of cocoa farmers, a key priority for the world's leading cocoa-producing nation.

Both parties agreed to establish a joint working group to prepare a future partnership that could open new opportunities for the cocoa sector and contribute to building a more sustainable value chain.

The move comes as Côte d’Ivoire continues efforts to increase the economic benefits derived from its cocoa industry and address long-standing challenges related to farmer incomes, sustainability and sector resilience.