Cocoa farmers dissatisfied with 2025/26 producer price, demand increase — Survey
A new survey by the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association (GCCFA) has revealed overwhelming dissatisfaction among cocoa farmers over the newly announced 2025/26 producer price, with calls for an urgent upward review.
The survey showed that 67 per cent of farmers considered a fair price to be between GHS7,000 and GHS10,000 per bag, while 25 per cent preferred GHS4,000 to GHS6,000. Only 8 per cent supported prices above GHS10,000.
Despite these expectations, government set the producer price at USD5,040 per tonne, equivalent to GHS3,228.75 per 64kg bag.
The GCCFA says the figure falls far short of farmers’ demands and risks worsening challenges in the sector.
“Government should have at least raised the price to no less than GHS4,000 to provide relief and sustain the sector,” the Association stated.
Representing 70 cooperative unions and more than 340,000 members, the GCCFA warned that failure to meet farmer expectations could exacerbate rising input costs, farm neglect, smuggling and declining youth interest in cocoa farming.
According to the survey, 79 per cent of respondents linked low prices directly to cross-border smuggling, while 83 per cent said higher prices would improve their ability to purchase fertilisers and pesticides.
Farmers also pointed to rising labour and transport costs, as well as increasing encroachment by illegal mining operators.
To address the situation, the Association called for direct farmer participation in price-setting, transparent communication ahead of price announcements and the distribution of subsidised inputs through farmer cooperatives.
“Cocoa remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy. Any agenda to reset the country must prioritise the livelihoods of cocoa farmers,” the Association stressed, urging COCOBOD and policymakers to engage farmers in dialogue to safeguard the industry’s sustainability.
