Cabinet reviews cocoa sector challenges as global prices fall below production cost

By
Daniel Amenyo Ablordey
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Cabinet on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on developments in the cocoa sector, examining longstanding structural challenges and taking key policy decisions to safeguard the industry.

The high-level session assessed both historical and systemic issues affecting Ghana’s cocoa economy, particularly in light of recent market shifts and regional competition.

The 2025/2026 cocoa season officially commenced in August 2025 with a producer price set at GH¢51,660 per tonne. The price was calculated as 70 percent of a gross Free On Board (FOB) price of US$7,200 per tonne, using an exchange rate of GH¢10.25 to the US dollar at the time.

Cabinet reviews cocoa sector challenges

However, on October 1, 2025, Côte d’Ivoire announced a new producer price that was 20 percent higher than Ghana’s. The Ivorian decision, combined with exchange rate movements, created a significant disparity between farmgate prices in the two countries.

Cabinet noted that the widening price gap posed a serious risk of cocoa smuggling from Ghana into Côte d’Ivoire, threatening domestic supply, export earnings and regulatory oversight.

In response, Ghana’s Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) adjusted the producer price to GH¢58,000 per tonne. The revision reflected an updated exchange rate of GH¢11.5 to the US dollar and was aimed at restoring competitiveness within the sub-region.

Cabinet

Officials indicated that the upward adjustment helped to narrow the price differential and mitigate the risk of cross-border smuggling, stabilising farmer confidence in the domestic pricing regime.

However, from October 2025, global cocoa prices began to decline sharply. Despite the downward trend, COCOBOD continued to sell cocoa beans until international prices dropped below US$6,400 per tonne, which represents the estimated cost of cocoa from the farmgate to the port.

The developments underscore mounting pressure on Ghana’s cocoa sector, as falling world prices intersect with high domestic production costs and exchange rate volatility. Further details on Cabinet’s decisions and policy direction are expected in the coming days.

Cabinet approves urgent cocoa farmer payments and endorses major COCOBOD reforms

Author

  • Daniel Ablordey

    Daniel Ablordey is a Business Analytics student at the University of Ghana Business School and an emerging strategist at the intersection of data, markets, and narrative. With a keen analytical mind and a passion for African business and economic trends, he is building a career focused on translating complex data-driven insights into accessible, decision-relevant stories that matter.

    As a writer and editor with Insight Ghana, African Business Insight, and The African Journal, Daniel delivers sharp, high-impact analysis on current affairs, business developments, and emerging trends across the continent. His work is defined by precision, clarity, and a deep commitment to responsible journalism — ensuring that every story he tells is not only accurate but meaningful to the audiences it serves.

    Beyond his editorial work, Daniel serves as an Ecobank Youth Ambassador, where he actively promotes financial inclusion, digital banking, and financial literacy among young Ghanaians. His leadership experience spans academic, professional, and faith-based institutions, where he has consistently driven initiatives centered on growth, structure, and long-term impact.

    Grounded in the principles of Pan-Africanism and service, Daniel brings a rare combination of analytical rigour and storytelling depth to his work. Whether unpacking market behavior, profiling emerging business leaders, or covering cultural shifts shaping the continent, he approaches every assignment with strategic intent and editorial integrity.

    His broader ambition is to contribute to Africa's transformation by shaping how data, business, and storytelling intersect — not just locally, but on a global stage.

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Daniel Amenyo Ablordey
Daniel Amenyo Ablordey
Daniel Ablordey is a Business Analytics student at the University of Ghana Business School and an emerging strategist at the intersection of data, markets, and narrative. With a keen analytical mind and a passion for African business and economic trends, he is building a career focused on translating complex data-driven insights into accessible, decision-relevant stories that matter.

As a writer and editor with Insight Ghana, African Business Insight, and The African Journal, Daniel delivers sharp, high-impact analysis on current affairs, business developments, and emerging trends across the continent. His work is defined by precision, clarity, and a deep commitment to responsible journalism — ensuring that every story he tells is not only accurate but meaningful to the audiences it serves.

Beyond his editorial work, Daniel serves as an Ecobank Youth Ambassador, where he actively promotes financial inclusion, digital banking, and financial literacy among young Ghanaians. His leadership experience spans academic, professional, and faith-based institutions, where he has consistently driven initiatives centered on growth, structure, and long-term impact.

Grounded in the principles of Pan-Africanism and service, Daniel brings a rare combination of analytical rigour and storytelling depth to his work. Whether unpacking market behavior, profiling emerging business leaders, or covering cultural shifts shaping the continent, he approaches every assignment with strategic intent and editorial integrity.

His broader ambition is to contribute to Africa's transformation by shaping how data, business, and storytelling intersect — not just locally, but on a global stage.
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