Three characteristics of global cocoa governance: Diversification, flexibilization, and coordination

Abstract

Most of the commodity crops are produced by low-income countries in the Global South and consumed in the Global North. Due to their vulnerability to price fluctuation, their prices have been regulated by commodity agreements between producing and consuming countries. However, after these prices were decided through the market, price regulation was no longer included in the negotiation agenda of commodity agreements. The cocoa sector has continued its collective global efforts to address various environmental and social issues even after the issue of price regulation was ceased to be addressed. This study investigated global cocoa governance by analyzing global cocoa actors, rules, and agendas through a content analysis of global documents related to the cocoa sector. The results indicated a transition in the three aforementioned aspects over time. First, the actors and agendas in the sector diversified. From the 2000s, private actors emerged and actively participated in forming global cocoa agendas and suggesting solutions to cocoa-related problems. Accordingly, more varied issues were included in the agendas. Second, the global cocoa rules were softened. Treaties among countries have controlled the global cocoa industry. Recently-introduced soft laws enabled diverse issues to be addressed and facilitated the participation of various actors. Third, coordination was emphasized at the international and state level. The inclusion of varied actors and agendas necessitated the alignment of efforts for improving global cocoa governance. Aiming to tackle issues through interaction among actors, rules, and agendas, global cocoa governance has been evolving in three distinct ways: diversification, flexibilization, and coordination.

Keywords: Cocoa; Global governance; Diversification; Flexibilization; Coordination

ID: 3622424