Cocoa Farming Attracts Young Professionals Amid Soaring Prices

A surge in global cocoa prices has led to a significant shift in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
With prices escalating from approximately $2,200 per metric ton in 2022 to nearly $11,000 in late 2024, many young professionals, including former engineers, bankers, and scientists, are returning to cocoa farming in regions like Ikom, Cross River State.
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Dubbed “cocoa boys,” these individuals are revitalizing rural economies and boosting local production.
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria has seen a notable increase in membership, and the Cocoa Research Institute reports heightened demand for seedlings, indicating a promising future for the industry.