Cocoa Supply & EU Rules: Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa Council warns that a delayed 2026/27 main cocoa crop could trigger Abidjan and San Pedro port congestion in November-December as exporters rush ahead of stricter EU deforestation rules. Cocoa Prices: The market reacted with sharp cocoa price gains on concerns over West African crop quality, including disease pressure linked to low sunshine and weaker pod development. Child Labour Progress: Ferrero and Save the Children say the Cacao Connect initiative has improved outcomes in Ivory Coast cocoa communities, including more education access and reduced poverty levels, as the sector pushes for sustainable supply chains. Cocoa Integrity Scrutiny: A new study suggests at least one in four cocoa traceability audits in Ivory Coast may include manipulated data to meet sustainability targets, raising pressure ahead of the delayed EUDR rollout. Agri-Processing Investment: Olam Agri completed its acquisition of Asia Africa Rubber Industry, adding 176,000 tonnes of annual rubber processing capacity in Ivory Coast to expand traceable natural rubber supply. Trade & Industry: Côte d’Ivoire remains a top industrial performer in the AfDB’s Africa Industrialisation Index, with the country highlighted among the continent’s industrialisation leaders. Diplomacy: Qatar’s international cooperation minister, Dr Maryam al-Misnad, held virtual talks with Côte d’Ivoire’s poverty-fighting and cohesion minister Belmonde Dogo and with AfDB president Sidi Ould Tah on strengthening cooperation. Legislative Ties: Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire moved to deepen parliamentary and economic cooperation, including agricultural production and export model exchanges.