Government will today, August 4, 2025, announce a new producer price for cocoa for the 2025/2026 crop season.
Officials have completed all committee reviews and stakeholder consultations, clearing the path for the new pricing structure to be made public.
Strong signals suggest the new price will mark a significant increase in dollar terms. However, analysts warn that recent gains by the Ghanaian cedi against the U.S. dollar could undermine the real value of the increment in local currency terms.
Currently, the government pays cocoa farmers GH¢3,100 per 64kg bag and GH¢49,600 per tonne.
The new pricing comes just days ahead of the official opening of the 2025/2026 cocoa season, scheduled for Thursday, August 7.
President John Mahama, speaking last month, reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to give cocoa farmers at least 70% of the world market price. He described the policy as a critical step in restoring dignity and fairness to farmers who sustain Ghana’s agricultural sector.
As of last night, global cocoa prices hovered around $7,555 per tonne.
But even with the booming world market prices, government sources say it has had to subsidise producer prices for the past five months paying nearly 90% of the world price directly to farmers.
Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, raised concern over the cedi’s rapid appreciation, which he believes could reduce real incomes for farmers.
“With global prices high, farmers should be earning more. But the strong cedi may cancel out some of those gains when converted to local currency,” Dr. Abbey explained.