A new survey by the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association (GCCFA) has revealed overwhelming farmer dissatisfaction with the newly announced 2025/26 cocoa producer price, demanding an urgent review.
The survey found that 67% of cocoa farmers consider a fair price to be between GH¢7,000 and GH¢10,000 per bag, while 25% suggested GH¢4,000–GH¢6,000, and only 8% supported anything above GH¢10,000.
Despite these expectations, government last week pegged the producer price at US$5,040 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢3,228.75 per 64kg bag.
GCCFA argues this is far below what farmers deem fair and risks worsening sector challenges.
“Government should have at least raised the price to no less than GH¢4,000 to provide relief and sustain the sector,” GCCFA stressed.
The Association, representing 70 cooperative unions and over 340,000 members, warned that failure to meet farmer expectations could deepen issues such as rising input costs, farm neglect, smuggling, and waning youth interest in cocoa farming.
The survey further highlighted that 79% of respondents linked low prices directly to cross-border smuggling, while 83% said higher prices would enhance their ability to purchase fertilisers and pesticides.
Farmers also cited rising labour and transport costs and increasing pressure from illegal mining operators encroaching on cocoa farms.
To address the crisis, GCCFA is calling for, direct farmer involvement in price-setting, transparent communication before price announcements, and distribution of subsidised inputs through farmer cooperatives.
“Cocoa remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy. Any agenda to reset the country must prioritise the livelihoods of cocoa farmers,” the Association added, urging COCOBOD and policymakers to urgently engage farmers in dialogue to protect the industry’s sustainability.
