Abidjan, 30 Oct - Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast said on Wednesday they were continuing their strike, now in its second week, though some planters in the east softened their stance ahead of a meeting with administrators.
Growers in the southwestern region around San Pedro, a port which handles nearly 50 percent of production from the world's No. 1 source of cocoa, and also in the east, began blocking deliveries last week as they campaign for higher prices.
President of farmers' union SAPICOCI Joseph Yao Kouame said planters were still on strike and would remain so until buyers met their demand for higher prices.
"When buyers decide to pay 700 CFA francs a kilo, we will allow beans to leave the bush," he said.
Exporters in the country's two shipment terminals, Abidjan and San Pedro, have taken delivery of a much lower tonnage of beans than at the same time last year.
"Beans are not coming out in large amounts, we know they are being held in the bush," said an exporter in San Pedro. "Those farmers who have decided to sell are only selling part of their stock, they want higher prices."
The striking farmers want buyers to pay 700 CFA francs ($1.32) per kg, the non-compulsory guideline price set earlier this month by a government-appointed committee that manages the industry. Traders say the price is well above market levels.
Data published by marketing body the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) on Tuesday put prices in most regions at around 500 CFA francs per kg.
In the east of the country, some cocoa is moving as local chieftains attempt to negotiate an accord.
"The king has told us that the management committee is coming here on Friday to talk with us. Sales depots are open and planters are depositing their product for sale," said Stephane Boa, a farmer and head of the producers' union in the eastern town of Abengourou.
The cocoa strike has become a political issue, with Prime Minister Guillaume Soro promising action. "What I understand is that farmers want a guaranteed price. From Friday some measures will be taken and the committee will talk to the farmers," Soro told a press conference.
Boa said farmers would not hesistate to block deliveries again if no agreement is reached.
"We are very keen to see what happens when we talk to the committee. We will talk frankly, and if there is no agreement we will restart the strike," he said.