2026/2027 Purchasing Season: Anxiety Grips Young Cocoa Farmers

Young cocoa farmers across Ghana are experiencing increasing anxiety as the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season approaches. This uncertainty stems from concerns over financing, producer prices, and the official start date of the season. The Young Cocoa Farmers Association petitioned President John Dramani Mahama on August 17, 2026, expressing the difficulties faced during the 2025/2026 season that left many farmers financially distressed.

The association reported that many young cocoa farmers failed to achieve their production targets and income expectations, making it challenging for farming households to cover basic needs, pay school fees, and access healthcare. Financial constraints faced by Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks have further exacerbated the situation, as many lack funds to purchase cocoa beans from farmers during the minor season, hindering sales and income generation.

Traditionally, farmers relied on credit facilities from buyers to sustain their farms until the main harvest, but the lack of financing has left buyers unable to provide support due to their own financial constraints. The uncertainty surrounding the 2026/2027 season is preventing farmers from planning investments, arranging labor, purchasing inputs, and setting production targets.

The association has appealed to the government for urgent clarity on funding availability, measures to prevent financing challenges from the previous season, and the stability of producer prices. They also seek clarification on the official start date of the new purchasing season and the policy for receiving 70% of the cocoa value.

The association emphasizes that cocoa farmers are vital contributors to Ghana's export earnings and deserve timely information, policy certainty, and prices that accurately reflect production costs. They urge the government to involve stakeholders before the new season to restore confidence and enable farmers to plan effectively.