The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has established a special-purpose financing vehicle, Cocoa Capital PLC, to mobilize GHS16.3 billion from the domestic capital market. This initiative aims to support financing needs in the cocoa sector. Cocoa Capital PLC was officially created as a company on August 7, 2026, in accordance with Ghanaian company law and will be wholly owned by COCOBOD.
The launch of Cocoa Capital PLC comes as the producer price of cocoa has been increased from GHS41,392 to GHS42,400 per tonne for the 2026/27 cocoa season. This new price represents 71.18% of the realised gross free-on-board (FOB) value of cocoa. Consequently, a 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa will now sell at GHS2,650. This price increase gives farmers an extra GHS1,008 per tonne over last season's.
The announcement was made by COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Randy Abbey at the official opening of the 2026/27 cocoa season. According to Dr. Abbey, the decision was made during a meeting with the Minister of Finance, cocoa farmers, and the Chamber of Cocoa Marketers, which comprises Licensed Buying Companies, hauliers, and processors.
The new price announcement comes as efforts intensify to secure financing for the upcoming cocoa season and address liquidity challenges facing the sector. As part of preparations for the 2026/2027 season, COCOBOD engaged with leading international cocoa trading companies in London. This move aims to match local prices with gains in the global cocoa market.
The 2025/2026 crop season price was GHS3,625 per bag, equivalent to GHS58,000 per tonne, representing a 12.27% increase over the previous year's price. The upward adjustment for 2026/2027 is believed to be an effort to match local prices with gains in the global cocoa market. COCOBOD has expressed its commitment to ensuring that cocoa farmers receive a meaningful and fair boost in their income.
In a related development, the government has disclosed its intention to reintroduce free fertilizers aimed at supporting farmers to increase production. Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, noted that COCOBOD has made available jute sacks and related logistics for the smooth take-off of the 2025/2026 crop season. The government will supply free cocoa fertilizers, insecticides, spraying machines, fungicides, and flower inducers to farmers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also received a donation of 2,000 tons of fertilizer, equivalent to 40,000 bags of fertilizer, from the Kingdom of Morocco. The fertilizers will be distributed to farmers to aid crop production. Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, expressed gratitude to the Moroccan government for the donation and assured that the fertilizers will reach the deserving farmers as soon as possible.
Key points
- COCOBOD launches Cocoa Capital PLC to raise GHS16.3bn for cocoa sector financing.
- Ghana increases cocoa producer price to GHS42,400 per tonne for 2026/27 season.
- Government reintroduces free fertilizers to support cocoa farmers.
