A review of local commodity development and export strategies for coffee, cocoa, and major agricultural products

• Smallholders produce over 80% of global coffee and 90% of cocoa supply. • Value chain integration scores highest in export strategy effectiveness. • Certification schemes face cost barriers, limiting smallholder inclusion. • Digital tools improve market access but lack rural adoption infrastructure. • PPPs and trade policies drive export growth but require inclusive governance. Agricultural commodities, including coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and rubber, play a critical role in the economies of developing countries, generating over USD 50 billion annually in global trade. However, smallholders, who produce more than 80% of coffee and 90% of cocoa worldwide, continue to face persistent challenges, including insecure land tenure, limited access to finance, weak infrastructure, environmental pressures, and institutional constraints. This review synthesises evidence from more than 40 peer-reviewed studies, institutional reports, and international trade databases published between 2015 and 2024 to examine strategies and barriers affecting local commodity development and export performance. The analysis is structured around four key pillars: production systems, development challenges, export strategies, and value-enhancing initiatives, with a focus on human capital development and collective action. Results show that value chain integration is the most effective strategy, followed by trade agreements and public–private partnerships, while certification schemes and agro-processing infrastructure remain underdeveloped. Strong regional specialisation is observed across commodities. The study concludes that sustainable competitiveness depends on coordinated policy reform, improved market access, and long-term investment in farmer education, cooperative governance, and inclusive value chains.