Ecuadorian cocoa farmers are experiencing a significant financial boost due to rising global cocoa prices, driven by a shortage linked to poor harvests in West Africa. This surge has made cocoa a billion-dollar industry in Ecuador, rivaling its traditional exports.

• Ecuador's cocoa exports reached $3.6 billion in 2024, surpassing banana exports for the first time in six decades.
• Cergio Lema, a 50-year-old farmer, has seen his income triple from $100 to $350 per 100-kilo sack of cocoa beans.
• Despite the financial boom, cocoa growers face threats from extortion gangs, highlighting underlying issues in the industry.