Syaifuddin Yana, Maryam, Hafasnuddin, Cut Rusmina, Mukhdasir
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 '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 '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. © 2026 The Authors.
Department of Management, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh, 23245, Indonesia; Department of Accounting Economics, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh, 23245, Indonesia; Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Management, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Banda Aceh, Indonesia
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