By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
Ghanaian cocoa farmers are set to enjoy a major financial boost as the government has announced a 62.58% increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne.
The decision according to the finance minister Hon Ato Forson was reached by the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, ahead of the official opening of the cocoa season on Thursday, August 7.
The new price represents 70% of the gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value of US$7,200 per tonne, fulfilling a key campaign promise by President John Mahama to ensure that cocoa farmers receive a fairer share of export earnings.
In Ghana cedi terms, the new price translates to GHS51,660 per tonne, or GHS3,228.75 per 64kg bag, calculated using an average exchange rate of GHS10.25 to the US dollar.
The move marks a clear departure from the previous administration’s approach, which in the 2024/25 season set the FOB at US$4,850 per tonne and the producer price at just 63.9% of that value.
Farmer groups and cooperatives across cocoa-growing regions have praised the increase, but many say the government must also act to control input costs, ensure timely payment, and stop illegal cocoa smuggling to neighbouring countries.
As the season opens, stakeholders hope this price hike is not just a one-time windfall, but part of a broader commitment to improve farmer livelihoods and sustain Ghana’s position as a global cocoa powerhouse.
