A cocoa farmer says cocoa producers across the country are unhappy with the new price announced by the government for the 2025/26 season.
Emmanuel Nodjo insists it falls far below expectations despite the sharp increase.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, August 5, Mr. Nodjo, who owns a total of seven acres of cocoa farms, said the mood among farmers is one of disappointment.
“We were expecting better than this, so the price is not encouraging,” he said bluntly.
The government on Monday approved a new producer price of $5,040 per tonne, up from the previous $3,100, marking a 62.58 per cent increase.
The announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in a social media post after a meeting of the Producer Price Review Committee, which he chairs.
But for farmers like Emmanuel Nodjo, the jump is not good enough.
“The farmers are not very happy with the price,” he said. “The price is not appreciating, and we are not happy. We were expecting better than this, at least ¢4000, but it didn’t happen.”
Dr. Forson has defended the new price, stating that it aligns with President John Mahama’s pledge to ensure farmers receive 70 per cent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value.
According to him, the current FOB value is based on a blend of contracts sold at $2,600 per tonne in the 2023/24 crop year and forward forecasts for the 2025/26 season.
The Minister also took a swipe at the previous administration, noting that the NPP government paid $3,100 per tonne in the 2024/25 season, which amounted to just 63.9 per cent of the FOB value of $4,850.
Despite the political point scoring, the reality on the ground appears far removed from the celebration.
For farmers like Emmanuel Nodjo, the numbers do not match the sweat on the farms. And their message to the government is clear: they are not satisfied.
