The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced an increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2026/27 season. The new price is set at GH¢42,400 per tonne, up from GH¢41,392 per tonne in the 2025/26 season. This translates to GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogram bag, a rise from GH¢2,587 per bag in the previous season. The price increase is part of efforts to improve returns to farmers and strengthen the cocoa sector.
The revised price represents 71.18% of the realised Gross Free-on-Board (FOB) value. According to COCOBOD, the decision follows extensive consultations with stakeholders and is in line with the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182). The Act guarantees Ghanaian cocoa farmers a minimum of 70% of the realised Gross FOB price of cocoa and introduces reforms aimed at strengthening the governance and long-term sustainability of the cocoa industry.
The Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, also provides for stronger protection of cocoa farms from illegal small-scale mining, a new financing framework to support increased domestic value addition, and a prohibition on COCOBOD engaging in quasi-fiscal activities. These reforms aim to improve returns to farmers while strengthening the financial and institutional foundations of the cocoa sector.
The government is maintaining its Productivity Enhancement Programmes aimed at reducing the production burden on farmers and improving farm productivity. The interventions include the provision of free fertiliser, free hybrid cocoa seedlings, and the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme. These measures are expected to improve farm yields, enhance farmer incomes, and contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable cocoa industry.
The new producer price is also expected to support efforts to curb cocoa smuggling. COCOBOD has called on cocoa farmers, traditional authorities, Licensed Buying Companies, security agencies, cocoa-growing communities, and the general public to support efforts to protect Ghana’s cocoa sector.
COCOBOD has fully deployed the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System (GCTS) across all cocoa-growing areas in the country. The system enables Ghana to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is expected to take effect from December 30, 2026. The traceability system positions Ghana to supply the European Union market with cocoa that is traceable, deforestation-free, child-labour-free, and legally produced.
Existing rates and fees applicable to other stakeholders in the cocoa supply chain have been maintained, including buyers’ margins, hauliers’ rates, warehousing and internal marketing costs, as well as fees for disinfestation, grading and sealing, and scale inspection. The reviewed producer price and applicable margins and rates take effect from September 25, 2026, marking the official opening of the 2026/27 cocoa season.
Key points
- COCOBOD increases cocoa producer price to GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag for 2026/27 season.
- The new price represents 71.18% of the realised Gross Free-on-Board (FOB) value.
- Ghana Cocoa Traceability System deployed to meet EU deforestation requirements.
