Ghana and Ivory Coast have agreed to begin the 2026/27 cocoa season on September 1, marking another step in efforts by the world’s two largest cocoa producers to strengthen cooperation and improve conditions for farmers.
The agreement, announced by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama after talks with Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, will see the cocoa marketing season run from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.
The two West African countries, which together account for about 60 percent of global cocoa production, have been working closely in recent years to coordinate policies in the sector, including efforts to align the prices paid to farmers for cocoa beans.
Mahama said the two countries would continue working together to harmonise guaranteed minimum farmgate prices, which are usually announced at the beginning of each cocoa season.
“We are partners, not adversaries or competitors, in the cocoa sector. This collaboration must be strengthened and allow us to make our producers happy,” Mahama told journalists after the meeting.
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The move reflects a broader push by Ghana and Ivory Coast to increase their influence in the global cocoa market and ensure that farmers receive a larger share of the value generated from cocoa exports.
For decades, cocoa farmers in both countries have faced challenges including volatile international prices, rising production costs, climate pressures and concerns over limited incomes despite the importance of cocoa to the global chocolate industry.
The two countries established the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) in 2018 to promote cooperation and strengthen their negotiating position with international buyers.
Their collaboration has included efforts to introduce measures aimed at improving farmer earnings, including the implementation of a premium on cocoa sales known as the Living Income Differential (LID), designed to provide additional income support to farmers.
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, has also been adjusting its cocoa calendar to manage supply conditions and improve sales.
Earlier this year, the country moved the start of its mid-crop season to March 1 from April 1, in a bid to boost sales of remaining stocks from the main crop season.
The cocoa industry has faced significant disruption in recent years due to adverse weather conditions, disease affecting cocoa trees and supply shortages that have pushed international cocoa prices to record levels.
The 2023/24 season saw a sharp decline in production in both Ghana and Ivory Coast due to unfavourable weather and crop disease, contributing to tighter global supplies.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, has also been implementing reforms aimed at improving production and supporting farmers, including efforts to increase productivity and tackle illegal mining activities that have affected cocoa-growing areas.
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Analysts say closer coordination between the two countries could help create greater stability in the cocoa market, although challenges remain, including ageing cocoa farms, climate change impacts and the need for increased investment in local processing.
The latest agreement comes as both governments seek to move beyond exporting mainly raw cocoa beans and encourage greater value addition through domestic processing.
By working together on pricing, production planning and market strategy, Ghana and Ivory Coast hope to strengthen their position in global cocoa trade and improve returns for millions of farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihoods.
