COCOBOD pledges competitive cocoa prices for 2025/2026 season
The new pricing is expected to be announced in August 2025.
GHANA – Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), a government agency responsible for overseeing cocoa production, has assured farmers of a favorable producer price for the 2025/2026 cocoa season, pledging rates surpassing those of neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.
The announcement was made during the village forum when Dr. Abbey, CEO of COCOBOD, had a meeting with Odeneho Dr. Akosua Frema Dwaben II, Queen Mother of Dormaa, who urged policies prioritizing long-term farmer welfare.
“Cocoa is invaluable. We need sustainable pricing to improve livelihoods,” she said.
Dr Abbey also met with cocoa-growing communities in the Bono and Ahafo regions, aiming to strengthen farmer confidence amid climate challenges and global market pressures.
Dr. Abbey added that the new cocoa prices would be announced in August and would reward farmers competitively for their labor.
The August price announcement will coincide with the season’s launch, with stakeholders hoping it catalyzes renewed investment.
Women farmers like Paulina Takyi Agyeman appealed for targeted incentives. “Soft loans and better prices can attract young women to farming,” she noted, underscoring the need for gender-responsive support.
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire collectively supply 60% of global cocoa, but Ghana’s output has fluctuated due to climate shifts, disease, and aging farms.
During village forums, farmers highlighted urgent concerns: erratic weather, delayed insecticide distribution, and insufficient youth participation.
Joseph Kwame Amoakoh, a 50-year veteran farmer in Ahafo’s Apataasu, called for enforced reforestation to combat climate impacts. “Timely pest control and shade trees are critical to sustaining yields,” he said.
Dr. Abbey acknowledged these challenges, pledging closer collaboration with traditional leaders and farmers to streamline input delivery and promote agroforestry
The pledge to outprice Côte d’Ivoire reflects Ghana’s bid to retain its position as a premium cocoa origin.
However, analysts caution that structural reforms such as modernising ageing farms and improving access to finance are equally vital to reversing production declines.
While the 2020/2021 season saw a record 1.047 million metric tons, subsequent years have struggled with droughts and swollen shoot disease.
The analyst added that as global cocoa demand rises, Ghana’s ability to balance farmer profitability with sustainable practices could redefine its role in an industry increasingly scrutinized for equity and environmental stewardship.
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