The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced an increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2026/2027 season. Effective immediately, the new producer price is GH¢42,400 per tonne, up from GH¢41,392 per tonne in the previous season. This represents a 2.4% increase, equivalent to GH¢1,008 per tonne. The announcement was made by Dr. Randy Abbey, Chief Executive of COCOBOD.
The new producer price is 71.18% of the realised Free-On-Board (FOB) price of US$2,650 per tonne for the 2026/2027 season. This reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that cocoa farmers receive a significant share of the value generated from their produce. The adjustment is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving the financial sustainability of COCOBOD while protecting the incomes of cocoa farmers.
The Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, provides for an automatic adjustment mechanism linked to international cocoa prices, exchange rates, and other relevant factors. This mechanism guarantees farmers at least 70% of the gross FOB price. The new pricing framework is designed to provide a more stable and predictable income for cocoa farmers.
COCOBOD is also working on a new financing framework for cocoa purchases. The goal is to reduce the sector's reliance on traditional international syndicated loans and increase participation by domestic investors. The proposed Cocoa Notes Programme aims to mobilise funding from Ghana's domestic capital market to support cocoa purchases and related operations.
The 2026/2027 season begins against the backdrop of significant changes in cocoa financing, pricing, and sector management. The new producer price is expected to shape purchasing arrangements and farmer incomes in the new season. COCOBOD's revenue surged to GH¢48.6bn in 2025, with a return to profitability of GH¢5.1bn.
The cocoa sector has faced challenges in recent years, including a GH¢6bn arrears backlog. The government has directed urgent action to address COCOBOD's inherited debt of GH₵5.8bn. The sector's financial sustainability is crucial for the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and the broader Ghanaian economy.
The new producer price and financing framework are part of a broader effort to reform and revitalise Ghana's cocoa sector. The government aims to boost local processing of cocoa and increase the sector's contribution to the national economy. Key stakeholders, including farmers and investors, will be watching closely to see how the changes play out in the 2026/2027 season.
Key points
- COCOBOD increases cocoa producer price by 2.4% to GH¢42,400 per tonne for the 2026/2027 season.
- The new producer price is 71.18% of the realised FOB price of US$2,650 per tonne.
- COCOBOD is implementing a new financing framework to reduce reliance on international loans and increase domestic investor participation.
