Ghana keeps cocoa price steady and rolls out sweeping sector reforms

The Ghanaian government, through the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), announced it will hold the producer price for the 2026 Light Crop Season at GH¢2,587 per 64‑kg bag, the same rate as the previous season, despite a sharp drop in international cocoa prices. The move aims to protect farmer incomes and stabilise the sector.

In parallel, a comprehensive reform package was unveiled to overhaul the cocoa industry. Key measures include an automatic price‑adjustment mechanism guaranteeing farmers at least 70 % of the gross FOB price, the issuance of a cedi‑denominated cocoa bond for domestic financing, a mandate that at least 50 % of the 2026/27 crop be processed locally, and a balance‑sheet restructuring of COCOBOD to restore its financial health. The reforms target the livelihoods of more than 800,000 farming households and seek to keep a larger share of cocoa’s value within Ghana.

The decisions come after months of public debate, farmer protests, and opposition pressure over delayed payments and declining earnings. While some producers welcomed the price hold, many continue to call for faster payments and broader changes to the purchasing system.