COCOBOD: Ghana pays highest cocoa price in West Africa

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has rejected reports suggesting that cocoa farmers in Ghana are worse off than their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire, insisting that official data shows Ghana currently offers the highest farmgate price in the sub-region.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, COCOBOD said the producer price of cocoa in Ghana stands at GH₵3,228.75 per 64 kg bag, equivalent to GH₵51,660 per tonne or US$5,040 per metric tonne (MT). By comparison, Ivorian farmers are paid GH₵2,553.38 per bag, or GH₵40,854 per tonne (US$3,886/MT).

Figures from the August 2025 Commodity Analysis Team report indicate that Ghanaian farmers are earning GH₵675.38 (US$64.16) more per bag and GH₵10,806 (US$1,154) more per tonne than their neighbours.

“This is not a matter of interpretation — it is a matter of fact. On every key metric, Ghanaian farmers are earning more,” the Board stressed.

A breakdown of the comparisons shows that Ghana pays GH₵51.65 (US$5.04) per kilogramme against Côte d’Ivoire’s GH₵40.85 (US$3.89). Per bag, Ghanaian farmers receive the equivalent of US$315, while Ivorian farmers take home US$227.

COCOBOD described narratives of parity or disadvantage as “factually inaccurate and misleading”, adding that its pricing strategy was carefully designed to protect farmers from currency volatility and reduce the incentive for cross-border smuggling.

“This pricing policy reflects COCOBOD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring fair and rewarding returns for farmers’ hard work,” the statement said.

The Board further emphasized that Ghana’s global reputation in cocoa production rests not only on quality but also on sustainable pricing.

“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 noted.