Ivory Coast: Natural rubber surpasses cocoa by volume among exported agricultural products

Ivory Coast exported nearly two million tonnes of natural rubber in 2025, making it the country’s leading agricultural export by volume, ahead of cocoa, and its second-largest by value. Exports generated nearly 1.9 trillion CFA francs, with more than 700 billion going to small-scale producers. APROMAC chairman Charles-Emmanuel Yacé said production grew from 164,138 tonnes in 2005 to two million tonnes in 2025; the sector now includes about 180,000 village producers and supports more than 1.5 million people. At APROMAC’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Agriculture Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné urged greater domestic processing, as finished goods such as tires and gloves are often made abroad.