Uncertainty surrounds Ivory Coast's plans to liberalise coffee marketing from October 1998 and cocoa one year later -- a plan agreed under the terms of 1998 loan deals with donors.

Discussions have in the past included a possibly wider role for exporters as the state takes more of a back-seat role, but several key exporters have recently faced serious setbacks.

Internal marketing and prices were partially liberalised by Ivory Coast in 1995/96, with an electronic auction set up in May 1996 to raise market transparency.

But the world's largest cocoa producer, with annual crops running at 1.1 million tonnes or more, kept control of export marketing by continuing with its listof export rates.

At prices above these levels, exporters pay price stabilisation amounts to the Caistab state marketing board; below them, they are reimbursed.Exporters have said the GEPEX could play an increased role in auction management, for example, with the Caistab monitoring export quality and giving trade advice for growers and buyers.

Government officials have been at pains to stress the need to keep the Caistab, while denying rumours of its role being enhanced. This, they say, would protect Ivory Coast's interests against foreign traders and industries seeking a local foothold.

Meanwhile, several key Ivorian exporters have faced problems raising funds for cocoa buying in 1997/98 ahead of an expected shakeout of the record number of exporters -- 61, often interconnected companies -- approved this season. Only a handful are active bidders at auction.

Banks have become more reticent to lend money after evidence of export fraud and a string of bad debts, while foreign buyers fear export contractscould become less reliable after several defaults or deferments reported in 1997/98. Export fines are not routinely applied and an uncertain volume of 1997/98 contracts has been delayed until as late as next year.

Exporters say dry weather which cut this season's crop to below some expectations left the Caistab oversold. Exporters said a figure of 120,000 tonnes of cocoa deferred to the 1998/99 season published by the French economic daily La Tribune Desfosses was too high.

The total was unclear as exporters were reluctant to reveal their trade position. Caistab does not reveal cocoa trade data. The London-based International Cocoa Organisation on June 15 signed a funding deal aimed at easing cocoa liberalisation in West African producers. Diplomats expected a white paper on liberalisation soon.