Ghana cocoa farmers eye bumper 2025/26 harvest amid persistent challenges 

GHANA – Cocoa farmers in Ghana are forecasting a significant increase in harvest volumes for the 2025/2026 season, driven by improved flowering, pod development, and overall plant health.  

This comes after several seasons of reduced output caused by climate change, plant diseases, and illegal mining activities that have impacted production. 

Theophilus Tamakloe, a cocoa grower and vice president of a national farmers’ association, expressed optimism, citing noticeable improvements in farm conditions compared to the previous year.  

“Farmers who have dedicated time to their cocoa farms will definitely see a bumper harvest this season,” he told Reuters. In Assin North district, Tamakloe projects an increase from 230 bags in the last season to 350 in the upcoming one. 

Another farmer indicated plans to double output to 2,000 bags, up from 1,000 in 2024/2025, attributing the expected growth to a more business-oriented approach. 

However, both farmers warned that erratic rainfall patterns and delays in fungicide distribution by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) could negatively impact yields. 

COCOBOD data from May 2025 projected that Ghana’s cocoa output for the 2024/2025 season would fall short of its 650,000 metric ton target, with revised estimates placing total production at 590,000 tons.

The decline highlights ongoing sector difficulties, as cocoa’s performance has suffered steep quarterly contractions since early 2024, with rates reaching -26% in mid-year. 

Meanwhile, cocoa farmers are renewing calls for a minimum guaranteed payment of 70% of the Free-On-Board (FOB) price to ensure fair compensation for their efforts and contributions to the global cocoa supply chain.  

The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association urged compliance with constitutional provisions on pricing, cautioning against unilateral projections by government officials. 

In response, President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to announce a new producer price in August 2025.  

The most recent price adjustment in November 2024 saw the producer price raised from GH₵48,000 (US$4,662.18) to GH₵49,600 (US$4,817.59) per tonne, increasing the 64kg bag price from GH₵3,000 (US$291.39) to GH₵3,100 (US$301.10). 

The association also raised concerns over the unregulated expansion of large-scale commercial cocoa farming, warning it could marginalize smallholder farmers if not carefully planned and integrated into the sector’s long-term strategy. 

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