Cocoa farmers across the country are expressing deep disappointment over the government’s newly announced producer price for cocoa, describing it as a betrayal of promises made during the 2024 election campaign.
Leading the charge is Emmanuel Nodjo, Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society in the Eastern Region, who says the new price of GH₵3,228 per bag falls far below the expectations of farmers.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Wednesday, August 5, Mr. Nodjo said farmers had anticipated a significant increase, especially after campaign assurances of prices between GH₵5,000 and GH₵6,000 per bag.
“Our expectations were not met, farmers were expecting something bigger and higher than the 3200, it was very small,” he said. “We were expecting to get 5,000 or 6,000 per bag, so that is not much different from the past. The are not happy, farmers are not happy over the new price.”
Mr. Nodjo’s comments come in the wake of the government’s announcement on Monday, August 4, increasing the cocoa price from GH₵3,100 to GH₵3,228 for the 2025/2026 crop season.
Defending the new price, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and COCOBOD CEO Dr. Randy Abbey said the increase represents 70% of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value, in line with global benchmarks.
They noted that the FOB value was pegged at US$7,200 per tonne, reflecting a 62.58% increase in dollar terms compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has backed the farmers’ concerns, accusing the government of manipulating figures to shortchange producers.
Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, described the new price as inadequate and out of touch with current market conditions.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
