LACRA Coordinator Reacts to Media Report on “Cocoa Price, Smuggling in Neighboring Sierra Leone

J. Mason Kollie

VOINJAMA CITY, LOFA COUNTY-Barley few days after the Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) published an article on the reduction of the price of cocoa and smuggling in Sierrea Leone, the Lofa County Coordinator of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity and Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Augustine K. Argbah confirmed that indeed challenges exist.

Argbah said in a press statement on October 20, 2025 that his institution is working to address the challenges and put in place measures to minimize and or curtail smuggling of cocoa into Sierra Leone and other neighboring countries.

The County Coordinator of LACRA made the clarity in response to recent publication by RRNN’s in which farmers lamented that price of cocoa have dropped to their disadvantage due to smuggling into neighboring countries.

He spoke mainly of cocoa transactions in Wanhassa District. “I would like to provide clarity on the current situation regarding the recent drop in cocoa prices especially with both farmers and buyers across the affected communities in Wanhasa District”, he said.

According to him, the reduction in price is due to farmers increasingly opting to sell wet cocoa beans rather than fermented ones. This decision, he said, is largely driven by urgent financial needs.

LACRA official pointed out that farmers are under pressure to address pressing domestic issues such as paying school fees, maintaining their farms, initiating construction projects during the dry season, and managing other personal obligations. These challenges are compounded by the lack of adequate government support, forcing many to prioritize quick cash over long-term value addition through proper cocoa processing.

“Buyers have raised serious concerns poor road conditions, particularly the routes linking Wahansa District to Kolahun District. These poor road networks significantly hinder their ability to transport cocoa to larger markets”, said the LACRA Coordinator.

He said buyers have reported difficulties working with farmers who are increasingly impatient and unwilling to follow proper drying and fermentation processes, resulting in cocoa that does not meet market standards. These issues have persisted since the start of the 2025 harvest season, Argbah stated.

LACRA Coordinator said his institution too faces significant logistical challenges in enforcing standards across the county. With only seven staff members assigned in Lofa County, and many communities situated along leaky borders with Guinea and Sierra Leone, monitoring and enforcement are extremely difficult. Additionally, he said the Sebehill Cooperative, which once played a vital role in stabilizing the local cocoa sector economy is currently experiencing financial and managerial difficulties.