The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has refuted reports suggesting that cocoa farmers in Ghana earn less than their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire, insisting that Ghana currently offers the highest farmgate price in West Africa.
According to COCOBOD, official figures for August 2025 show that Ghana’s producer price stands at ₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, equivalent to ₵51,660 per tonne (US$5,040/MT). This, the Board explained, is significantly higher than Côte d’Ivoire’s producer price of ₵2,553.38 per 64kg bag, or ₵40,854 per tonne (US$3,886/MT).
“This translates to a price advantage of ₵675.38 per bag (US$64.16) and ₵10,806 per tonne (US$1,154) in favour of Ghanaian farmers,” COCOBOD said in a statement.
Breaking down the data further, COCOBOD noted that on a per kilo basis, Ghanaian farmers earn ₵51.65 (US$5.04) compared to ₵40.85 (US$3.89) in Côte d’Ivoire. For every 64kg bag, Ghanaian farmers take home US$315, while Ivorian farmers receive US$227.
“The claim of parity or disadvantage is simply false. Ghana’s farmgate price is not just higher; it is the most competitive in the sub-region. Currently, Ghanaian farmers are receiving more than ₵10,000 extra per tonne compared to their counterparts across the border.”
COCOBOD further explained that its pricing policy is designed to reward farmers fairly, shield them from volatile foreign exchange movements, and discourage smuggling.
“We are determined to ensure fair and rewarding returns for our hardworking cocoa farmers. Our pricing policy keeps farmgate prices attractive and sustainable while safeguarding farmer welfare.”
“Any assertion that farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are better off is factually inaccurate and misleading,” it stressed.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
