Ghana pays highest cocoa price in West Africa — COCOBOD
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has dismissed recent reports suggesting that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are receiving lower farmgate prices compared to their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Board insists that current market data proves Ghana is paying the highest producer price for cocoa in the West African sub-region.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, 20 August, COCOBOD stated that the official producer price in Ghana stands at GHS3,228.75 per 64kg bag, equivalent to GHS51,660 per metric tonne or USD5,040 per tonne. This is significantly higher than the price in Côte d’Ivoire, where farmers currently receive GHS2,553.38 per bag, translating to GHS40,854 per tonne (USD3,886 per tonne).
Data compiled in August 2025 by COCOBOD’s Commodity Analysis Team highlights the difference clearly. Ghanaian cocoa farmers earn GHS675.38 more per bag (USD64.16) and GHS10,806 more per tonne (USD1,154) compared to their Ivorian counterparts.
“This is not a matter of interpretation; it is a matter of fact. On every key metric, Ghanaian farmers are earning more,” the statement said, rejecting assertions that Ghana’s pricing structure was inferior.
The statement further outlined comparative figures: Per kilogramme: Ghana – GHSS51.65 (USD5.04), Côte d’Ivoire – GHS40.85 (USD3.89); Per 64kg bag: Ghana – USD315, Côte d’Ivoire – USD227; Per metric tonne: Ghana – USD5,040, Côte d’Ivoire – USD3,886
COCOBOD stressed that claims suggesting parity or a lower farmgate price in Ghana are “factually inaccurate and misleading.”
According to the Board, the pricing strategy reflects a deliberate policy to shield farmers from global price volatility and currency fluctuations, while also discouraging smuggling across porous borders. Smuggling of cocoa beans to neighbouring countries has long been a challenge, especially when farmgate prices differ significantly.
“This pricing policy reflects COCOBOD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring fair and rewarding returns for farmers’ hard work,” the release noted.
It added that the policy forms part of wider reforms to secure sustainable incomes for farmers and protect rural livelihoods.
The Board also reaffirmed Ghana’s position as the global benchmark for high-quality cocoa, stressing that competitive farmgate pricing will further strengthen the country’s leadership in the international cocoa industry.
“Ghana’s cocoa remains the global benchmark for quality, and now, backed by the highest farmgate price in West Africa, it also guarantees better livelihoods for our farmers,” COCOBOD added.
