The National Association of Cocoa Farmers has reacted to the recent increment in the price of cocoa.
The Public Relations Officer of the Association, Madam Ophelia Twumesi, says the increment could have been better considering the world market price.
The producer price of cocoa has been increased by 58.26% from GH¢20,928 per tonne to GH¢33,120.00 per tonne for the rest of the 2023/24 cocoa season.
This figure translates into GH¢2,070 per bag of 64 kg gross weight and takes effect on Friday, April 5, 2024.
The PRO lamented that the government has not treated them well over the years.
She argued that there was a need for an increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa in Ghana, citing the recent unprecedented surge in global cocoa prices.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she said the international market price for cocoa has reached $10,000 per ton, yet Ghanaian farmers are being paid a significantly lower amount.
She posited that bags of cocoa are currently being sold on the world market for close to GHC9,000, yet at the same time, the government is giving cocoa farmers prices below GHC2,500.
Madam Ophelia Twumesi has therefore suggested to the government that it consider giving farmers half the price of what is sold on the international market.
She warned that per the current price, farmers will not benefit since, after paying the farm hands and other costs, what would be left would be insignificant.
“It is our desire that the price be better than what was announced. We have witnessed significant increases in global prices. When you do the calculations and evaluate what we have been given, you will realize that it is not the best. There is a shortage of cocoa, and that is also the reason why there is a surge in prices on the international market. We deserve more than the GHC 2,000 we have been given. If we should get from GHC4,000, we will appreciate it a lot.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
