The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has defended its cocoa producer price regime, stressing that the current pricing policy is designed not only to secure farmers’ livelihoods but also to curb cross-border smuggling.
In a statement issued in Accra, COCOBOD dismissed suggestions that Ghanaian farmers earn less than their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire, describing such claims as “factually inaccurate and misleading.”
According to the Board, Ghana’s producer price stands at ₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag (₵51,660 per tonne or US$5,040/MT), compared to Côte d’Ivoire’s ₵2,553.38 per bag (₵40,854 per tonne or US$3,886/MT). This translates into a price advantage of more than ₵10,800 per tonne for Ghanaian farmers.
Beyond the figures, COCOBOD said the pricing policy was deliberately structured to shield farmers from volatile foreign exchange movements and ensure stable, fair returns. This, it explained, prevents distortions that often fuel smuggling across the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire border.
“For every 64kg bag, Ghanaian farmers earn about US$315, compared to US$227 in Côte d’Ivoire,” the statement highlighted. “The official differential underscores Ghana’s leadership in both quality and pricing.”
COCOBOD emphasised that Ghana’s cocoa remains the global benchmark for quality, and with the current competitive producer price, the country is also setting the standard for farmer welfare in West Africa.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to farmer prosperity, sector sustainability, and long-term competitiveness, noting that the current regime proves Ghana’s determination to make cocoa farming both rewarding and resilient.
