Average cocoa farmgate prices in Ivory Coast mostly rose last week, data from marketing body (BCC) showed on Tuesday, as supplies dried up during a five-day farmer strike in the world's top grower.
In the central town of Divo, where the biggest increase was recorded, the average price rose by 25 CFA francs per kg to 335 CFA francs, although that was short of an indicative minimum price of 390 francs (75 cents) set earlier this month.
"Many buyers here have increased prices, but few farmers were selling because of the strike," said Souleymane Kone, adding that some buyers feared prolonged disruption to supply.
Christophe Zoungrana, a farmer on the outskirts of San Pedro, said he was offered more than usual for his beans but could not sell because of the strike.
"I could have sold at 325 CFA per kilo ... I thought the price was good.
The buyers were deprived of beans and many farmers stuck together and refused to sell their cocoa," he said.
"We couldn't take our beans out of the bush in case the striking farmers would snatch it off us on the road."
Farmers went on strike on last week saying the indicative minimum price set for the 2004/05 season was too low, and should be a guaranteed price anyway.
Talks between farmers' unions, cocoa authorities and the government have since centred on funding for co-operatives. The strike has been lifted this week for negotiations to continue.
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