The government has increased the price paid to farmers for cocoa beans at the farm gate from the previous GH¢3,228.75 per bag of 64 kilograms to GH¢3,625 per bag, effective today. In terms of tonnage, the producer price has risen from GH¢51,660, announced in August this year, to GH¢58,000 per tonne for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, made this announcement in Accra yesterday after a meeting with the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) on cocoa. The minister, who chairs the committee, convened the meeting to review recent developments in the cocoa sector, consult stakeholders, and make decisions.
“Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, the government has decided to increase the producer price of cocoa to GH¢3,625 per bag, or GH¢58,000 per tonne,” the finance minister stated. “This represents an increase of approximately GH¢400 per bag, which is equivalent to a 12.27 percent rise over the price announced in August.”
Fees
However, margins, fees and rates for all other stakeholders, including the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), remain unchanged.
The Producer Price Committee on Cocoa
A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance yesterday following a meeting indicated that COCOBOD will continue to implement measures to support cocoa production and enhance the welfare of cocoa farmers. Specifically, COCOBOD will increase the provision of free cocoa fertilizers (both liquid and granular), free insecticides, free spraying machines, free fungicides, and free flower inducers.
The statement further noted that COCOBOD, which serves as the regulator, aggregator, and sole exporter of cocoa in the country, is on track to launch the new Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for the children of cocoa farmers in the 2026/2027 academic year. “The government remains committed to supporting the Ghana Cocoa Board in building a robust and resilient cocoa industry that provides sustainable and optimal benefits to all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
Background
COCOBOD is expected to purchase about 650,000 tonnes of beans for the 2025/2026 cocoa season.
On August 4, this year, the government increased the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season from GH¢49,600 ($3,100) per tonne to GH¢51,660 ($5,040) per tonne, representing 70 per cent of the average Gross free on board (FoB) price which stood at $7,200 per tonne at the time.
That meant the price per 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa beans increased from last year’s GH¢3,100 to GH¢3,228.75, or 4.07 per cent over the previous price, Daily Graphic computations indicate.
The government also announced that beginning 2025/2026 crop season, COCOBOD would roll out a Ghana Cocoa Traceability System to ensure that cocoa produced in Ghana could be traced from a plot of land to the port of shipment. “This all-new system will ensure that Ghana is in full compliance with the due diligence requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulations, which take effect from December 31, 2025.
“The Cocoa Traceability System places Ghana in a better position to supply cocoa that is traceable, deforestation-free, child labour-free and compliant with EU regulations,” Dr Forson said.
Source: Justice Agbenorsi
