The Ghana Cocoa Board recently announced a new producer price of GH¢42,400 per tonne for the 2026/2027 cocoa season, which translates to GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag. This represents an increase of GH¢1,008 per tonne over the previous season's price of GH¢41,392 per tonne. The new price took effect on September 25.
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has expressed disappointment with the new cocoa producer price, describing it as a disappointment to farmers. In a series of posts on X, Annoh-Dompreh criticised the government, stating that the 'scales of deception have been removed' and that the government will face opposition from cocoa farmers.
Annoh-Dompreh's criticism extends beyond cocoa, as he argues that farmers producing other major food crops are facing difficulties. He mentioned rice, maize, yam, and cocoa as examples of crops affected by the current administration's policies. His comments come amid significant changes in Ghana's cocoa sector, including pricing, financing, and governance.
The new producer price of GH¢42,400 per tonne represents 71.18 per cent of the realised gross Free-On-Board value of cocoa, as introduced under the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026. The law guarantees cocoa farmers a minimum of 70 per cent of the realised gross FOB value. COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer Dr Randy Abbey stated that the new price followed consultations with key stakeholders.
COCOBOD has indicated that the producer price could be reviewed if market conditions and other relevant factors warrant an adjustment. The Board will continue productivity programmes designed to reduce the production burden on farmers and improve yields, including free fertiliser, free hybrid cocoa seedlings, and the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme.
The Ghana Cocoa Board has also announced the nationwide deployment of the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System as part of efforts to meet emerging international market requirements. This development sets the stage for another debate over farmer incomes, cocoa-sector financing, and the broader sustainability of Ghana's cocoa industry.
Annoh-Dompreh's criticism of the new cocoa price has become a fresh point of confrontation between the government and cocoa farmers. The Minority Chief Whip's comments reflect concerns about the impact of the new price on farmers and the cocoa sector as a whole.
Key points
- The new cocoa producer price is GH¢42,400 per tonne, representing a 2.43% increase from the previous season's price.
- The price represents 71.18 per cent of the realised gross Free-On-Board value of cocoa.
- Annoh-Dompreh criticised the government, stating that the new price is a disappointment to farmers.
