Category: Business

  • Ghana Sets New Cocoa Producer Price at GH¢42,400 for 2026/27 Season

    Ghana Sets New Cocoa Producer Price at GH¢42,400 for 2026/27 Season

    Ghana has opened the 2026/27 cocoa season with a new producer price of GH¢42,400 per tonne, representing an increase of GH¢1,008 from the GH¢41,392 per tonne paid during the 2025/26 season.

    The revised price took effect on Friday, September 25, 2026, as the new cocoa season officially opened.

    The new rate means cocoa farmers will receive GH¢2,650 for a 64-kilogramme bag, compared with GH¢2,587 under the previous producer price.

    New pricing framework

    According to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the GH¢42,400 producer price represents 71.18 per cent of the realised gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value of cocoa.

    The pricing decision follows consultations involving key stakeholders in the cocoa industry and comes under reforms introduced through the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182).

    The new law provides that cocoa farmers should receive a minimum of 70 per cent of the realised gross FOB price of cocoa.

    COCOBOD says the reforms are intended to strengthen the financial and institutional sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector while improving returns to farmers.

    Support for cocoa farmers

    Beyond the producer price, COCOBOD says government will continue productivity programmes designed to reduce the cost of production and improve farm yields.

    These include the provision of free fertiliser, free hybrid cocoa seedlings and the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme, according to the Board’s announcement.

    COCOBOD also expects the revised producer price to contribute to efforts to reduce cocoa smuggling by making official channels more attractive to farmers and other actors within the supply chain.

    Traceability and export requirements

    The new cocoa season is also beginning with Ghana’s cocoa traceability system fully deployed across cocoa-growing areas, according to COCOBOD.

    The Board says the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System (GCTS) is intended to support compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, which is expected to take effect on December 30, 2026.

    COCOBOD says the system will help Ghana supply cocoa to the European Union market that can be traced through the supply chain and verified as deforestation-free and legally produced.

    What the new price means for farmers

    The increase of GH¢1,008 per tonne amounts to an increase of about 2.4 per cent compared with the previous producer price.

    While the adjustment raises the amount farmers receive for their cocoa, the new season also comes as Ghana undertakes broader reforms covering cocoa pricing, financing and management.

    COCOBOD has separately announced plans for a domestic cocoa financing programme, through which Cocoa Capital PLC intends to raise up to GH¢16.3 billion to finance cocoa purchases for the 2026/27 season and refinance existing obligations.

    The 2026/27 cocoa season therefore begins amid changes intended to reshape how Ghana finances, prices and manages one of the country’s most important agricultural commodities.

    Source: Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Review of the Producer Price of Cocoa for the 2026/27 Cocoa Season, September 25, 2026.

  • Ghana Targets 400,000 Tonnes of Tomatoes Under New Self-Sufficiency Drive

    Ghana Targets 400,000 Tonnes of Tomatoes Under New Self-Sufficiency Drive

    Ghana has launched a new initiative aimed at increasing local tomato production, reducing dependence on imported tomatoes and building a more reliable year-round supply for consumers.

    The Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI), launched in Anloga in the Volta Region on September 15, is targeting national tomato production of about 400,000 tonnes annually as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector and improve food security.

    The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in partnership with private-sector agricultural company FarmMate. The programme is expected to address challenges across the tomato value chain, including production, irrigation, financing, storage, processing, transportation and access to markets.

    According to MoFA, a processing facility at the Legon Enclave is expected to begin operations in September 2026, with an initial processing capacity of between 1.5 and 5 tonnes per hour. Plans are also underway for additional semi-processing facilities in tomato-producing areas.

    Processing could help address one of the industry’s longstanding problems: what happens to tomatoes when farmers produce more than the fresh market can absorb.

    Turning surplus tomatoes into purée and other processed products could extend their shelf life while creating additional markets for farmers.

    What GHATSI means for consumers

    For consumers, the success of the initiative could have implications beyond agriculture.

    Ghana’s tomato market has historically experienced periods of shortage and higher prices, particularly during seasons when local production falls.

    A more consistent supply could potentially reduce some of the pressure created by seasonal shortages, although the effect on consumer prices will depend on production levels, market conditions, transportation costs, processing capacity and other factors.

    The government’s broader objective is to move from a cycle in which Ghana experiences shortages at some times of the year and significant losses at others toward a more coordinated year-round tomato supply system.

    The road ahead

    GHATSI represents a significant attempt to address several challenges at once, from farm production and irrigation to finance, insurance, processing and market access.

    But the programme’s progress will ultimately depend on what happens beyond the launch.

    Farmers will need reliable access to water, quality seeds, technical support and markets. Buyers and processors will need consistent supplies. Storage and transportation systems will need to prevent produce from spoiling before it reaches consumers.

    The government’s 400,000-tonne annual target therefore represents more than a production figure. It will require coordination across the entire tomato value chain.

    As Ghana begins the first phase of the initiative, farmers, industry stakeholders and consumers will be watching closely to see whether the programme can translate its targets into increased production, lower losses and a more dependable supply of locally grown tomatoes.

    Sources: Ministry of Food and Agriculture; Ghana News Agency; Citi Newsroom.

    Ministry of Food and Agriculture report on GHATSI
    Ghana News Agency report on the 400,000-tonne target

  • Understanding Ghana’s Business Landscape and Opportunities for Growth

    Understanding Ghana’s Business Landscape and Opportunities for Growth

    Ghana’s business environment continues to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses and investors across different sectors of the economy. From small businesses to established companies, businesses play an important role in creating jobs, providing services and contributing to economic development.

    At MyBestOnlineStories Media, our Business section will bring readers stories about businesses, entrepreneurship, markets, innovation and economic developments that matter to individuals and organizations.

    We will focus on presenting business information in a clear and accessible way, helping readers better understand developments that may affect their work, businesses and communities.

    As we grow, MyBestOnlineStories Media will continue to highlight business stories and opportunities from Ghana and beyond.