Government is to announce the producer price for cocoa beans for the 2024/2025 season today, Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
The new FOB price has already been determined by the Producer Price Review Committee and submitted its report to the Minister for Food and Agriculture and subsequently to the President for official announcement to cocoa farmers in accordance to established procedure.
Ahead of the announcement, Onua News’ Ahafo Regional correspondent, Armstrong Kusi Obuodum visited some cocoa growing areas to interact with the farmers on their expectations.
Cocoa farming has been the main occupation of the people of the Ahafo Region which is also the sixth largest cocoa producing Region in Ghana.
Many cocoa farmers and buyers are anticipating a good price from the government to make cocoa farming and business more attractive.
The President of Asunafo Cooperative Cocoa and Marketing Union, Emmanuel Sarpong said due to the current nature of the economy, cocoa productions are very expensive nowadays.
He said if the government does not increase the cocoa price from GH¢2,070gh to either GH¢5,000 or GH¢6,000 per bag, which is about 189.9% of the current price, farmers economic situation will worsen.
Mr. Sarpong said purchasing agrochemicals and fertilizers for cocoa production is very expensive in the market which in turn increases the cost of production.
Mr Abdalai Salifu who is a a cocoa farmer in the Ahafo Kenyasi in the Asutifi North district also said he is expecting a price increase from the government so that cocoa production will be more lucrative and attractive to the youth and many people.
