Every time you unwrap a chocolate bar, you’re tasting the result of a journey that’s way more intense than it looks. Behind that sweet treat is a story that often starts with a cocoa farmer wage that’s far too little to cover even the basics.
While our global love for chocolate keeps growing (and we totally get it!), the reality for many farmers is still far from fair. Most cocoa farmers—especially in West Africa and Latin America—live in poverty. Why? Because the current system doesn’t pay them a wage that reflects the real value of their work.
It’s been broken for a long time, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to stay that way.
The Harsh Reality: Cocoa Farmers’ Earnings
Cocoa farmers are the heart and soul of chocolate. But most of them are barely getting by. According to a report by UNCTAD, in Côte d’Ivoire, where a huge chunk of the world’s cocoa comes from, many cocoa farmers live on just $0.78 a day. In Ghana? Not much better. That’s far below what anyone needs for basics like food, housing, healthcare, or sending kids to school.
Right now, according to the Rainforest Alliance, only 13% of cocoa farming families in Côte d’Ivoire earn what’s considered a living income. In Ghana, Oxfam reports the respective figure is at just 10%. That’s not just unfair — it’s simply not sustainable.
If we want chocolate to keep being something we all enjoy, we need to make sure the people growing it can actually live from it. It starts with raising cocoa farmer wages. And it starts with all of us.
Why Are Cocoa Farmers Paid So Little?
Let’s be real — the way cocoa farmers get paid is the result of years (and years) of imbalance. The system isn’t broken by accident; it’s been built this way. And it keeps most farmers stuck in poverty. Here’s why:
- Too many middlemen: By the time cocoa makes it to your chocolate bar, a long chain of people have already taken a bite of the profits. The farmers? Often left with scraps.
- Unstable cocoa prices: The market goes up and down, and farmers are the first to feel the hit.
- Lack of support: No access to tools, training, or investment means it’s tough to grow. Add aging trees, pests, and crop diseases into the mix, and you’ve got a system that’s hard to escape.
Even in places like Latin America and Southeast Asia, where farmer wages can be a bit higher, unpredictable markets and high production costs make it hard to count on a stable income.
Farmers pour their energy into growing some of the best cacao beans in the world — but they’re often not paid enough to live on. It’s time for a change. A more fair, sustainable cocoa industry is possible. And that’s exactly what we’re working toward.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Chocolate
Cheap chocolate might seem like a sweet deal for us, but it often comes at a bitter cost — one that’s paid by cocoa farmers, the planet, and basic human rights.
When farmers are paid far too little for their cocoa, it can push families into child labour and keep kids out of school. To make ends meet, many are forced to clear forests, leading to serious environmental harm. And behind the scenes, poor working conditions put health, safety, and dignity on the line every day.
The truth? The real price of chocolate is often paid by people we never see. If we want to move from survival wages to sustainable livelihoods, it’s time to rethink the systems behind our favourite treats. A fair price for chocolate is one where don’t just pay more, but make sure what we pay reaches the people at the start of the supply chain.
WHAT DIRECT TRADE REALLY MEANS
Direct trade flips the traditional cocoa model on its head. Instead of beans passing through layers of brokers, traders, and exporters, farmers sell their cacao straight to buyers. That means fewer middlemen, fairer prices, and more control for the people who grow the crop. It means a cocoa farmer wage that is far more likely to actually be fair.
But it’s not just about the money. Direct trade fosters long-term relationships, giving farmers access to feedback, training, and tools to improve both quality and yield. It’s about transparency, respect, and building something sustainable — together.
HOW THE COCOA CIRCLE IS FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
At The Cocoa Circle, we’re committed to building a more transparent, equitable cocoa supply chain — one step at a time.
For our Cacao Nibs, we source directly from farmers we’ve met and connected with on the ground. For our other products, we’re actively working to shorten the supply chain and keep more value at the origin.
But our impact doesn’t stop with sourcing. No matter where we buy our beans, we invest in farmers directly through microprojects — from better post-harvest tools to irrigation systems and regenerating fallow land. These initiatives support resilience, independence, and long-term success for cocoa-growing communities.
Because at our core, we believe doing business should leave people better off — starting with cocoa.
