Côte d’Ivoire stands as West Africa’s most vibrant economy, a growth trajectory fundamentally rooted in agriculture. At independence, the sector represented nearly half of the country’s GDP. By 2024, its contribution had declined to 15.9% of GDP, yet agriculture remains the backbone of employment, engaging 46% of the workforce directly. The agricultural trade surplus continues to drive the nation’s commerce, with farm products accounting for 51.5% of all exports in 2025.

Poverty rates are disproportionately high in rural areas, with 54.4% of the rural population living below the poverty line compared to the national average of 37.5%. In these agricultural communities, farming is the primary livelihood. Shockingly, around 90% of Ivorian farmers fall within the lowest income decile, and within the cocoa sector—a cornerstone of the economy—60% of farmers live below the national poverty threshold.

Industrial and cash crops form the backbone of Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural development, positioning the country as the world’s top producer of cocoa and cashew nuts, and the third-largest producer of natural rubber. Despite these achievements, the nation remains heavily reliant on imported cereals and fish, staples that form the dietary foundation for urban populations. Meanwhile, domestic food crop production operates largely within an informal economy, characterized by limited market access for small-scale producers and minimal structural organization.