Côte d’Ivoire

Famous for its cocoa and coffee, Côte d’Ivoire is also one of Africa’s leading palm oil and rubber producers.

• Palm oil

Palm oil is an essential ingredient in Ivorian cuisine and is mainly consumed in refined form. It is also a significant source of wealth for the population. Indeed, the income of 2 million people depends on this sector today.

In the 1960s, Côte d’Ivoire wanted to diversify its production and decided to develop the oil palm sector. Its objective was to ensure the country’s self-sufficiency in fatty materials and subsequently generate a surplus for the foreign market. Therefore, two sectorial development programs were implemented: the first from 1963 to 1985 and the second from 1985 to 1995.

Currently, Côte d’Ivoire is the 3rd largest palm oil producer in Africa and is fully capable – with the exception of certain areas – of meeting domestic demand. Under its third Palm Plan, the country aims to double its output by 2020 through:

• Promotion of smallholder production; and
• Performance improvement of existing businesses.

Since 2012, the country’s agro-industrial companies, supported by the central government, have been collaborating to implement the 8 Principles and 39 Criteria of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil).

• Rubber

Rubber cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire began in the 1950s at the initiative of private organizations. It was only in 1970 that rubber was introduced in smallholder plantations, thanks to the Ivorian government’s support: 7 consecutive rubber development programs have been implemented to support smallholders in Côte d’Ivoire.

Today, the country is Africa’s leading rubber exporter, and more than 47% of its production comes from smallholdings.

In Côte d’Ivoire, smallholder rubber cultivation shows dynamism, and is seen as a guarantee for a permanent, long-term income. In addition, rubber cultivation enables the production of pure green: natural rubber is a substitute for synthetic rubber (a petroleum distillation product) and serves as a significant carbon sink.