Côte d’Ivoire launches US$440M plan to boost palm oil sector over next decade

Côte d’Ivoire has unveiled a bold US$440 million roadmap to revitalize its oil palm industry, aiming to transform the sector into a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive engine of economic growth.

The 10-year strategy, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and developed by the Rubber-Palm Oil-Coconut Council (CHPC), targets key challenges facing the country’s palm oil value chain.

The ministry indicated that this roadmap will be structured around five strategic areas of intervention, to which a staggering 61% of the budget will be directed, to improve yields in village plantations, which form the backbone of the country’s palm oil supply.

Aging trees, limited access to quality inputs, and outdated farming practices have long constrained output.

The initiative will introduce modern agronomic techniques, better seedlings, and tailored support for smallholders to close the yield gap.

Additionally, the strategy aims to build a competitive, sustainable, inclusive, and economic growth engine by removing obstacles that could hinder its progress in the coming years.

With global markets demanding traceability and eco-friendly practices, the roadmap includes measures to align Côte d’Ivoire’s production with international standards.

This includes environmental safeguards, certification programs, and training for farmers on sustainable land use.

Financing mechanisms tailored to the sector’s needs will also be developed, ensuring that producers and processors can access capital to expand operations and adopt new technologies.

This is especially critical as domestic processing mills currently operate at 152% of available supply, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The raw material shortfall has prompted authorities to suspend new permits for first-stage processing plants until the supply situation improves.

Côte d’Ivoire produces an average of 573,000 tons of crude palm oil annually, with about 25% exported to regional markets including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana, and Nigeria.

However, competition from Asian producers and rising domestic demand have exposed structural weaknesses in the supply chain.

The government’s plan is designed to address these issues holistically, positioning the sector for long-term resilience.

By investing in productivity, sustainability, and inclusive growth, Côte d’Ivoire aims to reclaim its leadership in the West African palm oil market.

As implementation begins, stakeholders across the value chain, from village farmers to industrial processors, are expected to benefit from a more robust, future-ready palm oil ecosystem.

Tags: palm oil, Ivory Coast