Ghana Increases Cocoa Producer Price by 12.27% for 2025/26 Season

October 3, 2025

The Government of Ghana has announced a significant increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/26 season, raising the farmgate price by 12.27% in a move aimed at improving farmers' welfare and reducing smuggling to neighboring countries.

New Price Takes Effect Friday

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the price adjustment following a Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) meeting held on Wednesday, October 2, 2025. The new price takes effect from Friday, October 3, 2025.

Under the new pricing structure, cocoa farmers will receive GH¢3,625 per bag, or GH¢58,000 per tonne,an increase of approximately GH¢400 per bag from the previously announced price in August.

Revised from August Announcement

The upward revision comes just two months after the government initially set the producer price at GH¢3,228.75 per bag and GH¢51,660 (US$5,040) per tonne on August 4, 2025. That earlier price represented 70% of the average Gross FOB price of US$7,200 per tonne.

Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, the government decided to increase the farmgate price to ensure farmers receive better returns for their crops and to reduce incentives for cross-border smuggling.

COCOBOD Support Interventions Continue

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has committed to continuing its interventions to support cocoa production and improve farmer welfare. Key initiatives include:

Free Input Distribution: COCOBOD will intensify the supply of free cocoa fertilizers (both liquid and granular), free insecticides, free spraying machines, free fungicides, and free flower inducers to farmers.

Education Support: The board remains on track to implement the new Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers in the 2026/27 academic year, providing long-term benefits to farming families.

Margins and Fees Unchanged

According to the Ministry of Finance press release, margins, fees, and rates to all other stakeholders, including COCOBOD, remain unchanged under the new pricing structure.

Government's Commitment to Cocoa Sector

Minister Ato Forson emphasized the government's dedication to building a robust and resilient cocoa industry that provides sustainable and optimal benefits to all stakeholders.

"Government remains committed to supporting the Ghana Cocoa Board to build a robust and resilient cocoa industry that provides sustainable and optimal benefits to all stakeholders," the Finance Minister stated in the press release.

Context: Ghana's Cocoa Sector Recovery

The price increase comes as Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer, seeks to boost production and farmer incomes following years of challenges in the sector. The country has forecast a cocoa crop of 650,000 tons for the 2025-26 season, up from 600,000 tons in the previous harvest.

The higher farmgate price is expected to reduce smuggling to neighboring countries where prices have historically been more attractive, while also incentivizing increased production and better crop care by farmers.

With the new price taking effect immediately, cocoa farmers across Ghana's growing regions can expect improved returns as the main crop season progresses.