By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has officially opened the 2026–2027 cocoa season, establishing a new producer price of GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag (GH¢42,400 per tonne).
The updated rate, effective Friday, September 25, 2026, represents 71.18% of the realized gross Free-On-Board (FOB) price and comes alongside expanded farmer support programs, illegal mining protections, and full compliance with international sustainability regulations.
The price adjustment, up from GH¢41,392 per tonne in the previous season, was finalized following extensive consultations involving the Ministry of Finance, the Chamber of Cocoa Marketers, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), hauliers, processors, and cocoa farmers.
Delivering the key address at the official season opening in Accra, Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, highlighted the passage of the landmark Ghana Cocoa Board Act 2026 (Act 1182) as a major turning point for the industry.
”Among other provisions, the Act guarantees the Ghanaian cocoa farmer a minimum of 70% of the realized gross FOB price of cocoa,” Dr. Abbey stated. “It also strengthens the protection of cocoa farms from illegal small-scale mining, introduces a new financing framework to support increased domestic value addition, and prohibits COCOBOD from engaging in quasi-fiscal activities.”
To support yield targets and reduce overhead costs for smallholder farming households ahead of the 2026–2027 harvest cycle, Dr. Abbey outlined an expanded suite of agricultural incentives.
”Beyond the producer price, we will continue to implement productivity enhancement programs aimed at reducing the production burden on farmers and increasing farmer productivity,” Dr. Abbey explained. “These include the supply of free fertilizer, free hybrid cocoa seedlings, and the cocoa disease and pest control program.”
Addressing international trade requirements, the COCOBOD CEO announced that Ghana has completed the full rollout of the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System (GCTS) across all growing regions.
”Ghana is therefore ready to comply with the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is expected to take off from 30 December 2026,” Dr. Abbey stated. “The Ghana cocoa traceability system positions Ghana to supply the European Union market with cocoa that is traceable, deforestation-free, child-labor-free, and legally produced.”
Dr. Abbey confirmed that operational fees and margins for industry stakeholders—including hauliers, buyers, warehouse operators, and quality control inspectors—will remain unchanged for the crop year. COCOBOD urged local traditional leaders, security agencies, and border communities to collaborate with authorities to prevent cross-border smuggling under the new pricing model.
