As Ghana prepares for the 2025/2026 cocoa season, cocoa farmers are confronting renewed challenges amid dissatisfaction over the recently announced farm gate price of GH₵3,228.75 per 64-kilogram bag—a modest 4.2% increase from last season.
The Minority Caucus on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs has voiced strong concerns about the pricing, describing it as insufficient to meet the rising costs and expectations of farmers who are the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
Ranking Member Isaac Yaw Opoku described the increment as an “insultingly low” figure that fails to reflect global cocoa market realities, where prices have soared as high as $12,000 per metric ton. He stressed that many farmers feel neglected and financially pressured, with some reportedly contemplating leaving cocoa farming for more lucrative, yet illegal, activities such as mining.
The opposition highlighted the discrepancy between promises made during the last election campaign by leading party figures and the current realities on the ground. Promises of farm gate prices between GH₵6,000 and GH₵7,000 per bag have yet to materialize, fueling frustration among growers.
Comparative data shows that Ivorian farmers currently receive about GH₵3,635 per bag—approximately GH₵400 more than their Ghanaian counterparts—raising concerns about the potential for smuggling and cross-border trading that could undermine local production.
Moreover, the Minority Caucus criticized the government’s practice of deducting costs of essential farm inputs, such as fertilisers and insecticides, from the cocoa revenues while branding these inputs as “free,” effectively reducing farmers’ net earnings.
Calls for greater transparency and accountability were also made, urging the government to disclose detailed cocoa revenue figures and clarify the allocation of funds and grants since early 2025.
With the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry at a crossroads, stakeholders are urging a review of the pricing policy to ensure fair remuneration that reflects farmers’ efforts and market conditions. The demand for reforms resonates beyond economics, touching on preserving the livelihoods of thousands and securing Ghana’s standing as a global cocoa leader.
“The future of cocoa farming—and by extension, rural Ghana—depends on restoring trust, fairness, and viability to the sector,” the Caucus stated.
