Cocoa Farmers Get Relief: Farmgate Price Up by GH¢400
Cocoa farmers across Ghana are breathing a sigh of relief following government’s decision to raise the farmgate price of cocoa by GH¢400 per bag, an increase many see as overdue recognition of their struggles and contribution to the nation’s economy. The new price, effective October 3, 2025, sets the producer rate at GH¢3,625 per bag, or GH¢58,000 per metric tonne for the 2025/26 crop season.
The announcement came after deliberations by the Producer Price Review Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Speaking in Accra, Dr. Forson said the decision was reached after extensive consultations with farmer groups, industry stakeholders, and COCOBOD. He described the increase as a step towards ensuring fairness and sustaining the livelihoods of the farmers who form the backbone of Ghana’s economy. According to him, the increment reflects government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of cocoa farmers, rewarding their resilience, and keeping Ghana competitive in the global cocoa trade.
For many farmers, the adjustment could not have come at a better time. Rising costs of inputs, labour, and food have eaten away at profits in recent years, leaving many cocoa families struggling to break even. Kwaku Mensah, a farmer from the Ashanti Region, welcomed the announcement but added that the price increase must be accompanied by real support on the ground. “It is good news. At least now we can breathe a little,” he said. “But fertilisers, pesticides, and even hiring labourers have all become more expensive. If the government can ensure that inputs come on time and at affordable prices, then this increase will truly help us.”
Just two months ago, the price had been pegged at GH¢3,228.75 per bag, representing 70 percent of the average world market price. But farmer groups and observers expressed concern that Ghana risked losing beans to smuggling, especially to Côte d’Ivoire, where producers enjoyed slightly better margins. Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire account for over 60 percent of global cocoa production, and keeping their pricing policies in harmony is seen as vital to curbing smuggling and protecting farmer incomes.
While the increment is a welcome relief for farmers, it adds to the financial strain of the Ghana Cocoa Board, which already carries a heavy debt burden from past loans, subsidies, and social interventions. COCOBOD will now need to manage higher payout obligations while continuing to fund programmes aimed at boosting productivity and fighting threats like cocoa swollen shoot virus. Government has promised that productivity-enhancing programmes will not be sacrificed. According to the Ministry of Finance, free supplies of fertilisers, insecticides, fungicides, spraying machines, and flower inducers will continue, helping farmers increase yields despite rising costs. Additionally, a new tertiary education scholarship scheme for children of cocoa farmers is expected to be rolled out in the 2026/27 academic year. The initiative is meant to lighten the financial load on cocoa households and give farmers’ children greater access to higher education.
Analysts say the increase strikes a delicate balance: offering farmers some relief while managing the state’s limited resources. Kwame Ofori, an agribusiness consultant, notes that while the increment is significant, it may still not completely cushion farmers from the impact of inflation and rising rural living costs. “Farmers will welcome it, but the reality is that production costs remain high,” Ofori said. “This is a positive step, but government must also strengthen extension services, improve rural infrastructure, and support value addition in cocoa to ensure farmers capture more value in the long run.”
Despite the challenges, the news has rekindled hope in farming communities. In many cocoa-growing areas, families gathered to discuss what the new prices might mean for the coming season. For some, it could mean investing in farm expansion; for others, simply being able to afford school fees and healthcare without falling into debt. Ama Nyarko, a cocoa farmer in the Eastern Region, summed up the cautious optimism: “We are grateful for the increase. It shows that government has listened to us. But we hope this is not the last. Farming is not easy, and if the government truly values cocoa farmers, then they must continue to support us beyond just the price.”
As Ghana prepares for the new cocoa season, all eyes will be on how effectively the price increment is implemented, and whether farmers truly feel the benefits in their daily lives. For now, the GH¢400 increase is a welcome relief—an acknowledgment of the toil of thousands of farmers who sustain one of the country’s most important export industries.
