Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire agree to harmonise cocoa prices to boost farmer incomes

Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire have agreed to harmonise their cocoa farm gate pricing policies in a significant move aimed at improving farmer incomes, stabilising the cocoa market, and deepening cooperation between the world's two largest cocoa-producing nations.

The commitment was outlined in a Joint Declaration issued by President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire and President John Dramani Mahama at the Côte d'Ivoire Ghana High-Level Summit on the Future of the Cocoa Economy held in Abidjan on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The two leaders noted that their countries account for approximately 60 percent of global cocoa production and therefore share a responsibility to influence the future of the industry while improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

Under the agreement, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire pledged to align their farm gate pricing policies to enhance producer earnings, minimise market distortions, and strengthen commercial cooperation. The initiative will involve closer market coordination, alignment of premiums, and harmonisation of crop season calendars.

The leaders expressed confidence that the move would reduce unhealthy cross-border competition and reinforce the bargaining power of both countries within the global cocoa market.

In the declaration, Presidents Mahama and Ouattara reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring fair remuneration for cocoa farmers, describing it as essential to the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector and the promotion of economic justice and social stability in cocoa-growing communities.

They also highlighted achievements under the Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Cocoa Initiative, including the implementation of the Living Income Differential, efforts to coordinate marketing and price announcements, and collaboration on traceability and sustainable cocoa standards.

Despite these gains, the leaders acknowledged that the sector continues to face major challenges, including price volatility, illegal mining activities, climate change, the increasing use of cocoa substitutes, and stricter international sustainability requirements.

Beyond pricing reforms, the two countries agreed to intensify scientific cooperation in tackling cocoa diseases, particularly Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease. They also committed to expanding cocoa processing and value addition, while encouraging greater consumption of cocoa products across the region.

The declaration further announced plans to extend the Côte d'Ivoire Ghana Cocoa Initiative to other African cocoa producing countries to strengthen regional collaboration, harmonise sector policies, and enhance Africa's collective influence in the global cocoa economy.