Ten years ago, we supplied 95% of pineapples to the European market, but today we supply only 55%.

Emmanuel Doli OCAB

Sypefel, which claims to represent 3,000 pineapple farmers, complains that OCAB, is taking a hefty commission of 7-10 % on the sale of their produce in Paris.

They say that they are being forced to pay this, even when sales of pineapples are down.

They are also demanding their share of a 4.125 billion CFA ($560,000) grant from the European Development Fund, agreed back in 1994.

Over-production

OCAB denies corruption, saying that the European fund has been overseen by an EU delegate, and mainly invested in fertilizers aimed at improving the quality of the crop.

Somewhat ironically, the resulting increase in production is a major contributing factor to the farmers' current predicament.

OCAB's executive secretary, Emmanuel Doli, says that he warned the farmers last year that if they produced too many pineapples, they would not be able to sell them all.

He complains that the farmers ignored his advice, and oversupplied the market with 60,000 crates, instead of the recommended 45,000.

Political manoeuvre

Mr Doli says that the pineapple crisis has hit farmers worldwide, as a result of competition.

Gbagbo's supporters are accused of organising the strike

"Ten years ago, we supplied 95% of pineapples to the European market, but today we supply only 55 %. So there is competition on the market. And it's a free market, shaped by the laws of supply and demand, as everybody well knows", Mr. Doli explained.

OCAB directors also complain that there is a political aspect to the strike.

They point out that the pineapple farmers, from southern Ivory Coast, are supporters of President Laurent Gbabgo's ruling Popular Ivorian Front party, and that they want an excuse to put their people in the driving seat.