Ghana cocoa sector anticipates a significant production rebound in the 2024/25 crop season, spurred by favourable weather and enhanced farming practices, say farmers, officials from Ghana’s Cocoa Board (Cocobod), and local buyers. However, pressing issues like illegal mining, disease, and smuggling still pose substantial threats to this crucial industry.
The country, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, faced an output drop of more than 55 percent in the previous season, its lowest in over two decades. This decline, mirrored in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire—the global leader in cocoa—has contributed to a four-year supply deficit in the international market, driving cocoa prices to new highs.
Optimism for 2024 recovery
Ghana now expects production to reach approximately 650,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season, though the International Cocoa Organisation has projected a more conservative 500,000 tonnes. Improved rainfall, ample sunshine, and better-timed use of fertilisers and pesticides are all helping boost pod health, with signs of recovery already evident in many farms.
‘The crop is impressive,’ Abdul-Majid Mumuni, head of Cocobod’s cocoa health and extension division in southeastern Ghana, told Reuters. ‘Trees are producing well, with no less than 50 pods per tree in many cases.’ Local farmer Ocran Christopher, who manages a 72-hectare farm in Asamankese district, confirmed they had already harvested 500 bags since September, compared to just 820 bags over the entire previous season. ‘If the season continues like this, we could reach 2,000-2,500 bags,’ he added.
Challenges in the sector
Despite the positive signs, Cocobod officials remain cautious as the season progresses. The sector continues to grapple with risks such as the potential outbreak of black pod disease and persistent smuggling of cocoa beans across borders. In the previous season, Ghana lost over a third of its cocoa output to smuggling, Cocobod reports.
In response, Ghana has raised its farmgate price by almost 45 percent this season, hoping to incentivise local sales. Additionally, Cocobod has overhauled its financing approach, moving away from traditional syndicated loans to a new system requiring global buyers to make upfront payments on part of their purchases. While this funding model aims to curb bean trafficking, it has received mixed feedback from local farmers and buyers. Some worry the limited available funds could slow down purchasing and inadvertently encourage further smuggling.
The 2024/25 season could be a pivotal one for Ghana’s cocoa industry. As the country eyes a production comeback, its ability to manage long-standing challenges will be crucial to sustaining growth and reinforcing its role as a global cocoa powerhouse.
