Ghana’s government has announced a significant increase in cocoa producer prices to GH¢3,228.75 per 64kg bag (GH¢51,660 per tonne) for the 2025/2026 season, marking a 62.6% rise from the previous rate.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed the adjustment effective August 7, 2025aligns with President John Mahama’s pledge to return 70% of export value to farmers.
The dollar-equivalent price now stands at $5,040 per tonne, up from $3,100, reflecting recent cedi strength and falling inflation.
This revision follows criticism of prior pricing that granted farmers just 63.9% of Free-On-Board (FOB) value despite record global cocoa prices, which peaked above $11,000 per tonne in early 2025 due to supply shortages.
Current global spot prices remain elevated at $8,100–$8,300. The government highlighted its earlier subsidy intervention, which temporarily raised farmers’ FOB share to 99% by fixing exchange rates amid volatility.
Concurrently, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) will implement sweeping reforms: reintroducing free fertilizers, insecticides, and spraying equipment; launching a tertiary scholarship scheme for farmers’ children by 2026; and transferring cocoa road projects to the Ministry of Roads.
A national traceability system will also debut to comply with impending EU deforestation regulations, ensuring cocoa exports are deforestation-free and ethically sourced.
These changes aim to bolster yields, premium market access, and sector sustainability under revised stakeholder rates approved by the Producer Price Review Committee.
