The recent decision by the U.S. government to implement tariffs on imports is causing significant concern among small chocolatiers in Africa. Dana Mroueh, a small-business owner from Ivory Coast, is feeling the pinch as her plans to export organic chocolate bars to the U.S. face daunting new tariffs. The tariffs, averaging 21%, are expected to hamper the development of local economies reliant on exporting cocoa, which is primarily grown in regions like Ivory Coast. This move has potential ramifications not only for the chocolate sector but also for other industries, such as manufacturing in South Africa and garment production in Madagascar. With expectations of reduced market access for African products, many entrepreneurs like Mroueh are left grappling with the implications for their businesses.
New U.S. Tariffs Hit African Chocolatiers Hard
New U.S. Tariffs Hit African Chocolatiers Hard
New tariffs imposed by the U.S. are threatening the growth of African chocolate businesses, especially in Ivory Coast.
The article text:
Dana Mroueh, an ambitious chocolate entrepreneur in Ivory Coast, had her sights set on breaking into the U.S. market with her organic chocolate creations. However, her plans were abruptly thwarted when President Trump announced new tariffs on all imports last week. Ivory Coast holds the title of the world's largest cocoa producer, while the United States stands as the biggest consumer of chocolate, with most imports currently sourced from Canada and Mexico.
Mroueh's brand, Mon Choco, is among a rising cohort of West African chocolatiers eager to transform raw cocoa into high-end chocolate products and create local jobs in the process. “We were hoping to start exporting within the next few weeks,” she recounted with frustration. Unfortunately, Mroueh now faces a staggering 21 percent duty on her mango, ginger, and coffee-flavored chocolates, which could severely undermine her fledgling business.
The implications of these tariffs extend beyond the chocolate industry. The U.S. is poised to impose tariffs on various imports from Africa, including automotive parts from South Africa and textiles from Madagascar, with Lesotho's denim industry facing particularly steep levies of up to 50 percent. These changes threaten to destabilize several African economies that historically viewed the U.S. as a reliable market for their exports.
Mroueh expressed concern about the future of her business in light of these tariffs, stating, “We’re definitely going to face some issues.” With African chocolatiers striving to gain a foothold in global markets, the current trade climate poses significant challenges for their ambitions and the economic stability of their home countries.
Dana Mroueh, an ambitious chocolate entrepreneur in Ivory Coast, had her sights set on breaking into the U.S. market with her organic chocolate creations. However, her plans were abruptly thwarted when President Trump announced new tariffs on all imports last week. Ivory Coast holds the title of the world's largest cocoa producer, while the United States stands as the biggest consumer of chocolate, with most imports currently sourced from Canada and Mexico.
Mroueh's brand, Mon Choco, is among a rising cohort of West African chocolatiers eager to transform raw cocoa into high-end chocolate products and create local jobs in the process. “We were hoping to start exporting within the next few weeks,” she recounted with frustration. Unfortunately, Mroueh now faces a staggering 21 percent duty on her mango, ginger, and coffee-flavored chocolates, which could severely undermine her fledgling business.
The implications of these tariffs extend beyond the chocolate industry. The U.S. is poised to impose tariffs on various imports from Africa, including automotive parts from South Africa and textiles from Madagascar, with Lesotho's denim industry facing particularly steep levies of up to 50 percent. These changes threaten to destabilize several African economies that historically viewed the U.S. as a reliable market for their exports.
Mroueh expressed concern about the future of her business in light of these tariffs, stating, “We’re definitely going to face some issues.” With African chocolatiers striving to gain a foothold in global markets, the current trade climate poses significant challenges for their ambitions and the economic stability of their home countries.
