The Government of Ghana has announced a significant increase in the producer price of cocoa, raising it by 62.58% for the upcoming 2025/2026 season. The new price per tonne will be US$5,040, up from the previous US$3,100. This change aligns with President John Mahama’s commitment to paying cocoa farmers 70% of the gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value.
In cedi terms, the new price is GHS51,660 per tonne, which translates to GHS3,228.75 per 64kg bag. The new cocoa season is scheduled to open on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Key Initiatives for Cocoa Farmers
Alongside the new pricing, the government also announced several new programs and reforms to support the cocoa industry and its farmers.
- Free Fertiliser Programme Reintroduced: The Free Cocoa Fertiliser Programme will be reintroduced, providing farmers with free fertilizers, insecticides, spraying machines, fungicides, and other inputs.
- Tertiary Education Scholarship: A new scholarship scheme is being introduced for the children of cocoa farmers to pursue tertiary education. The initiative will be rolled out during the 2025/26 season.
- Ghana Cocoa Traceability System: A new system is being implemented to ensure all Ghanaian cocoa can be traced from the farm to the port. This initiative is designed to comply with new European Union Deforestation Regulations coming into effect on December 31, 2025.
Reforms at COCOBOD
Major reforms are underway at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to refocus the organization on its core mandate. The government stated that the COCOBOD Act will be amended to make it illegal for the board to engage in activities outside of its primary role of increasing yields and supporting farmers. All ongoing cocoa roads projects will be transferred to the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
