The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has denied that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are being underpaid, claiming that there is no truth to the reports that Côte d’Ivoire pays higher farmgate prices.
COCOBOD’s August 20, 2025, announcement states that, based on data, Ghana now offers the highest farmgate pricing in West Africa.
According to the official producer price in Ghana, which is GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, or GH₵51,660 per tonne, or US$5,040 per metric tonne (MT), COCOBOD said in the announcement.
The price in Côte d’Ivoire is GH₵40,854 per tonne (US$3,886/MT), or GH₵2,553.38 for every 64kg bag.
According to data gathered by the Commodity Analysis Team in August 2025, Ghanaian farmers enjoy a huge price advantage: GH₵675.38 more per bag (US$64.16) and GH₵10,806 more per tonne (US$1,154) are being paid to Ghanaian farmers.
“This is not a matter of interpretation; it is a matter of fact,” the statement read. “On every key metric, Ghanaian farmers are earning more.”
Per Kilogramme: Ghana – ₵51.65 (US$5.04) | Côte d’Ivoire – ₵40.85 (US$3.89)
Per 64kg Bag: Ghana – US$315 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$227
Per Tonne: Ghana – US$5,040 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$3,886
Any material implying parity or inferiority in Ghana’s cocoa prices is “factually inaccurate and misleading,” the statement added.
The competitive pricing approach, according to COCOBOD, is a component of a larger effort to shield farmers from the effects of exchange rate swings and deter smuggling, which is a recurring problem in border areas.
“This pricing policy reflects COCOBOD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring fair and rewarding returns for farmers’ hard work,” the statement added.
“Ghana’s cocoa remains the global benchmark for quality, and now, backed by the highest farmgate price in West Africa, it also guarantees better livelihoods for our farmers,” the statement concluded.
The Board further stated that it is enhancing the standard of living for communities that farm cocoa while bolstering Ghana’s dominance in the world cocoa market by maintaining competitive and sustainable prices.
Source: newsthemegh.com