Ghana Sets Increased Cocoa Producer Price and Launches New Financing Model for 2026/27 Season
Ghana's government has raised the cocoa producer price to GH¢42,400 per tonne for the 2026/27 season, backed by the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, and introduced a domestic financing vehicle alongside a fully deployed cocoa traceability system.
The Ghanaian government has raised the cocoa producer price for the 2026/2027 crop season to GH¢42,400 (US$3,647.17) per tonne, up from GH¢41,392 (US$3,560.47) in the previous season. The official announcement was made on September 25, 2026, by Dr. Ransford Abbey, Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), marking the opening of the new crop season.
The price adjustment of GH¢1,008 per tonne represents an increase of approximately 2.4%, translating to GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag. According to Abbey, the revision was approved following consultations between COCOBOD, the Ministry of Finance, cocoa farmers, and stakeholders represented by the Chamber of Cocoa Marketing Companies.
The new price accounts for 71.18% of the realised gross Free-on-Board (FOB) value of cocoa, aligning with the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026. The legislation guarantees cocoa farmers a minimum threshold of 70% of the realised gross FOB price. Abbey noted that the underlying pricing mechanism utilizes realised FOB values from spot and forward sales, with the possibility of further price reviews if required.
Alongside the price update, COCOBOD has initiated structural changes to how cocoa purchases are financed within the country. To reduce reliance on traditional international syndicated borrowing, COCOBOD created Cocoa Capital PLC, a wholly owned special-purpose financing vehicle. Cocoa Capital PLC intends to raise GH¢16.3 billion from domestic investors. This funding plan includes GH¢14 billion in commercial paper with maturities of up to 270 days, issued in tranches of GH¢4 billion, GH¢4 billion, and GH¢6 billion, alongside GH¢2.3 billion in bonds with tenors up to five years.
COCOBOD confirmed that other operational rates and fees across the supply chain—such as buyers' margins, hauliers' rates, warehousing costs, and internal marketing fees—will stay unchanged. In addition, COCOBOD will maintain existing farmer support programs, including the distribution of free fertiliser, hybrid seedlings, and cocoa disease and pest control services.
To support compliance with international export standards, COCOBOD also reported that the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System has been fully deployed across all cocoa-growing areas. This deployment is designed to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which is expected to take effect on December 30, 2026.
Key facts
- Ghana raised the cocoa producer price by 2.4% to GH¢42,400 (US$3,647.17) per tonne for the 2026/27 season.
- The new rate translates to GH¢2,650 per 64-kg bag and represents 71.18% of the realised gross FOB value.
- The pricing arrangement complies with the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of the realised gross FOB price.
- COCOBOD established Cocoa Capital PLC to raise GH¢16.3 billion domestically via commercial paper and bonds to finance cocoa purchases.
- The Ghana Cocoa Traceability System is fully deployed across cocoa areas ahead of the European Union Deforestation Regulation effective date of December 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The update defines raw material pricing dynamics and financing structures in a key global cocoa supply origin. Additionally, full deployment of the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System affects supply chain compliance for international beverage and confectionery manufacturers sourcing Ghanaian cocoa under the EU Deforestation Regulation.
- Food Business Africa — 2026-09-28: “Ghana raises cocoa producer price for 2026/27 season”
This article was prepared by WBI.org from the sources listed above with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a WBI editor before publication. Information is attributed to its original sources.