The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has defended the government’s decision to maintain the producer price of cocoa for the 2026/2027 crop season, describing it as a clear demonstration of commitment to safeguarding farmers despite falling prices on the international market.
Announcing the unchanged rates ahead of purchases set to begin on June 18, 2026, COCOBOD confirmed that Grade I and II beans will continue to be bought at GH¢41,241.76 per load of 30 kilograms and GH¢2,587.00 per 64‑kilogram bag, with the producer price per tonne fixed at GH¢41,392.00.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, June 12, COCOBOD’s Head of Public Affairs, Jerome Kwaku Sam, explained that the government deliberately chose to shield farmers from the full impact of the downturn in global cocoa prices. He noted that while past reductions in producer prices were driven by steep declines in international market values—from highs of about $8,000 per tonne to nearly $4,200—current prices remain volatile, fluctuating between $3,000 and $4,000 per tonne.
Against this backdrop, he described the decision to maintain the producer price as a significant intervention to protect farmer livelihoods. “For us to even maintain the price as at now is born out of government commitment to protecting the livelihood and income of the cocoa farmer,” he said.
Sam noted that despite the challenges on the international market, Ghana has chosen not to pass on the full effects of the price decline to local farmers. He also pointed to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, where he said farmers currently receive far less for their cocoa compared to their counterparts in Ghana.
“I’m in Côte d’Ivoire now for meetings between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and I can tell you that they are not selling even up to GH¢1,200 per bag. In some cases, with about GH¢1,000, you can purchase a bag of cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire,” he stated. He argued that maintaining Ghana’s producer price at GH¢2,587 per bag reflects the government’s determination to prevent cocoa farmers from being further affected by developments on the international market.
Sam added that the decision underscores efforts to sustain farmer incomes and preserve livelihoods in the face of continuing volatility within the global cocoa industry.
Source: Isaac Appiah-Kubi
