The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has moved to clarify Ghana’s cashew pricing regime, dismissing reports that the minimum producer price for cashew had been set at GH¢25 per kilogram and stressing that official farmgate prices are determined through a structured and market-driven process.
In a statement issued by the Authority, TCDA described the claim as inaccurate and reiterated that the official minimum producer price for the 2026 cashew season stands at GH¢12.00 per kilogram.
According to the Authority, the minimum producer price for the 2024 season was GH¢8.50 per kilogram, while the highest producer price recorded under the pricing framework reached GH¢15.00 per kilogram during the 2025 season.
For the current 2026 season, TCDA explained that technical calculations based on prevailing market conditions initially produced a minimum producer price of GH¢11.16 per kilogram.
However, government, through the Authority, increased the price to GH¢12.00 per kilogram to provide additional support to farmers and enhance income levels within the sector.
The clarification comes amid growing public discussion about pricing in Ghana’s cashew industry, a sector that has become an important contributor to rural livelihoods, agricultural exports and value-added processing activities.
TCDA emphasized that cashew farmgate prices are not arbitrarily determined but are established through consultations involving stakeholders across the value chain, including farmers, traders, processors and exporters.
The Authority noted that several key economic indicators influence the final producer price, including international Free on Board (FOB) prices, exchange rate movements, production costs and prevailing market conditions.
“Cashew farmgate prices are not arbitrarily set. They are arrived at through a consultative process involving key stakeholders and actors across the value chain and are guided by critical market indicators,” the statement said.
The Authority further argued that Ghana continues to offer some of the most competitive producer prices for cashew in West Africa, providing local farmers with stronger returns compared to many neighbouring countries.
According to TCDA, current farmgate prices across the sub-region range between GH¢7.15 and GH¢8.00 per kilogram.
Burkina Faso offers prices between GH¢7.55 and GH¢7.80 per kilogram, while Côte d’Ivoire’s prices range from GH¢7.85 to GH¢8.00 per kilogram.
In Benin, producer prices range between GH¢7.36 and GH¢7.50 per kilogram, while farmers in Togo receive between GH¢7.15 and GH¢7.30 per kilogram.
The Authority said these figures demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to maintaining attractive producer prices that support farmer incomes while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), TCDA is responsible for regulating and promoting the development of key commercial tree crops, including cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango and shea.
Beyond pricing regulation, the Authority said it remains focused on strengthening value addition opportunities within the cashew sector.
Particular attention is being given to the promotion of cashew apple processing and other downstream activities aimed at increasing industry earnings and creating jobs.
The initiative forms part of government’s broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda, which seeks to boost agricultural productivity, expand agro-processing and increase export revenues.
TCDA also called on journalists, bloggers, industry participants and the general public to verify information from official sources before publication, warning that inaccurate reporting could undermine market confidence and create uncertainty among farmers and investors.
The Authority stressed that access to reliable information remains essential for protecting farmer interests, supporting informed investment decisions and sustaining growth within Ghana’s expanding cashew industry.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, TCDA said it would continue to provide accurate information on producer pricing and other industry developments to ensure public discussions are based on verified facts and market realities.
