Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to harmonise their cocoa producer pricing policies as part of efforts to improve farmers’ incomes, curb market distortions, and strengthen cooperation within the cocoa sector.
The agreement was announced by Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, following the 7th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), held in Abidjan ahead of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana High-Level Summit on the Future of the Cocoa Economy.
Presenting the committee’s conclusions on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Dr Forson disclosed that both countries had reached a consensus on measures aimed at aligning farm gate cocoa prices.
According to him, the agreement will enhance cooperation between the two nations through increased data sharing, closer collaboration between cocoa trading rooms, and the harmonisation of crop year calendars.
The two countries also agreed to adopt similar principles in determining cocoa producer prices in order to minimise disparities and reduce differences in country differentials through a coordinated pricing approach.
To support the implementation of the policy, a technical task force comprising experts from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire will be established to develop a price coordination framework and periodically review producer prices.
As part of the new arrangement, both countries have agreed to officially harmonise their cocoa crop calendars, with the cocoa year running from September 1 to August 31, beginning with the 2026/2027 marketing season.
Dr Forson said the steering committee had reaffirmed its commitment to long-term collaboration on cocoa price management and marketing, describing the move as critical to the future sustainability of the sector.
The decision comes at a time when Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are seeking to strengthen their influence in the global cocoa market. Together, the two countries account for more than half of the world’s cocoa production, making them key players in the international cocoa industry.
Differences in cocoa producer prices between the neighbouring countries have long been linked to cross-border smuggling and other market challenges. Officials believe the harmonisation measures will help address these concerns while ensuring fairer returns for cocoa farmers.
The steering committee noted that the initiative is expected to support greater stability, sustainability, and competitiveness within the cocoa sector while improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers who depend on cocoa production.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Nabagné Koné. Discussions also focused on expanding scientific cooperation, promoting sustainable cocoa production, and deepening regional collaboration to strengthen the future of the cocoa industry.
