SYUKRI, a farmer from Kampung Baru village, Pinrang regency, South Sulawesi, is confused by the declining price of his cacao. Last year, he sold his half-dried cacao to a middleman for between Rp7,000-8,000. Now, he can only sell his cacao for Rp5,000 per liter.

"There is nothing we can do," Syukri said Tuesday last week.

One middleman, Edi, said the prices were also beyond his control. Edi said the price of cacao dropped because major cacao busines