The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LCOBA) has endorsed the Government’s newly announced cocoa producer price, describing it as a necessary market adjustment.
The new price, effective February 12, 2026, is set at GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag and GH¢41,392 per tonne, following consultations among industry stakeholders, the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on the sector’s financial sustainability amid fluctuating global market conditions.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Vitus Dzah, General Secretary of LCOBA, said the Association viewed the pricing structure as a pragmatic alignment with prevailing global trends rather than a setback.
“We are moving with the market and moving with the times. The industry has to be saved, and we believe this is the way forward. The battle for a sustainable, transparent pricing mechanism has reached a point of resolution,” he said.
Mr Dzah stated that the new Free-On-Board (FOB) price of 4,200 dollars provided a realistic ceiling for the industry.
“By ensuring that farmers receive 90% of the net price-amounting to approximately $2,587 per tonne-the government is maintaining its commitment to the welfare of the producer while acknowledging the ceiling imposed by international buyers,” he said.
Mr Dzah indicated that for Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), the adjustment was expected to ease liquidity constraints that had hampered internal cocoa marketing in recent months.
“LCOBA has been vocal about the difficulties in securing financing when producer prices are disconnected from the actual export value of the beans.
“The most important thing for our members is the stability of the system. When the price is aligned with the market, it allows for a smoother flow of funds from COCOBOD to the LBCs, and ultimately, to the farmer’s pocket without the delays we have seen recently,” he said
Mr Dzah said the Association remained optimistic that the adjustment, coupled with a shift towards domestic financing models, would help end the cycle of debt in the sector.
He noted that by prioritising the 90 per cent share for farmers, Ghana was setting a regional standard for transparency in the cocoa trade.
Mr Dzah said LCOBA had committed to working closely with its members to ensure the immediate implementation of the new price across all buying centres.
He said that although price fluctuations were inevitable, the survival of Ghana’s cocoa industry depended on collective resolve to undertake necessary adjustments.
GNA
