West Africa: Cocoa Prices Surge - West Africa Should Negotiate Better Deal for Farmers

West Africa: Cocoa Prices Are Surging - West African Countries Should Seize the Moment to Negotiate a Better Deal for FarmersThe price surge could prove to be a critical moment for cocoa farming and policy in west Africa.the state-guaranteed cocoa price paid to farmers by two thirds. The announcement means that Ghana's cocoa farmers will be paid 20,943 cedis per tonne for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, up from 12,800 cedis.

In my view, west African countries should use the cocoa shortage as negotiating leverage against multinational corporations to address these structural issues. Both Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire must recognise this pivotal moment. They must take the lead, and frame the current production challenges as deep-seated structural problems requiring solutions, rather than as short-term issues.

Over the last two decades, depletion of forest land has led farmers to turn to grasslands for replanting cocoa plants. This requires extensive land preparation, regular weeding around the cocoa trees, pruning, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides. What's more, the plants are highly susceptible to disease. All these things result in increased labour costs.

The cost of sustainably cultivating cocoa in grasslands must be reflected in the price that farmers receive. Relying solely on market forces will not achieve this. For instance, every year, typically in September, the Ghana Cocoa Boardthe official producer price for cocoa beans for the upcoming cocoa season on behalf of the government. This official price is based on the anticipated export market price, with an understanding in Ghana that farmers should receive approximately 70% of it.

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