The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has firmly dismissed claims that Ghana’s official cashew producer price has reached GH¢25 per kilogramme, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a strongly worded clarification, the Authority explained that cashew farmgate prices in Ghana are determined through a carefully structured and consultative process involving key stakeholders across the industry. It stressed that prices are never fixed arbitrarily but are guided by market realities and industry fundamentals.
The intervention comes amid growing public discussions and misinformation surrounding cashew pricing, with some reports suggesting that farmers should be receiving GH¢25 per kilogramme for their produce.
According to the TCDA, such claims do not reflect the official pricing framework and risk creating confusion among farmers and market participants.
How Cashew Prices Are Determined
The Authority revealed that producer prices are calculated using critical market indicators including international Free on Board (FOB) prices, exchange rate movements and operational costs within the cashew value chain.
Beyond these economic variables, consultations are held with industry stakeholders before a minimum producer price is announced for each season.
The TCDA noted that this transparent process is designed to ensure fairness to farmers while maintaining the long-term viability of the industry.
To set the record straight, the Authority disclosed that the official minimum producer price for cashew has never been GH¢25 per kilogram.
Instead, it pointed out that the minimum producer price announced in 2024 stood at GH¢8.50 per kilogramme.
For the 2025 season, the highest producer price announced by the Authority reached GH¢15.00 per kilogram.
Government Support Pushes Prices Higher
The Authority further explained that for the 2026 season, the calculated minimum producer price was GH¢11.16 per kilogram.
However, government intervention resulted in an upward adjustment to GH¢12.00 per kilogram to provide additional support to farmers and strengthen incomes across the cashew sector.
The move underscores government’s commitment to ensuring that farmers benefit from favourable pricing arrangements while balancing market sustainability.
Industry observers say the clarification is important at a time when misinformation can easily distort expectations and affect market confidence.
Ghana Outpaces Regional Competitors
One of the key highlights of the TCDA’s statement was the revelation that Ghana continues to offer some of the most attractive cashew producer prices in West Africa.
According to the Authority, farmers in neighbouring countries currently receive significantly lower farmgate prices compared to their counterparts in Ghana.
The TCDA disclosed that producers in Burkina Faso receive between GH¢7.55 and GH¢7.80 per kilogramme.
In Côte d’Ivoire, prices range between GH¢7.85 and GH¢8.00 per kilogramme.
Farmers in Benin receive between GH¢7.36 and GH¢7.50 per kilogramme, while producers in Togo earn between GH¢7.15 and GH¢7.30 per kilogramme.
These figures place Ghana among the most competitive cashew-producing countries in the sub-region, reinforcing the government’s efforts to provide better returns for local farmers.
The Authority stated that the pricing regime reflects government’s commitment to ensuring competitive returns for farmers while safeguarding the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cashew industry.
Warning Against False Information
The TCDA also used the opportunity to caution media practitioners, bloggers, industry players and the general public against the dissemination of unverified information.
According to the Authority, misinformation surrounding producer prices has the potential to undermine farmer confidence and destabilise the market.
It therefore urged all stakeholders to verify information from official sources before publishing or sharing reports related to the cashew sector.
The warning highlights growing concerns about the impact of inaccurate information on agricultural commodity markets, where pricing expectations often influence production and trading decisions.
Bigger Plans for Farmers and the Industry
Beyond the pricing clarification, the Authority reaffirmed its commitment to improving farmer incomes and expanding opportunities within the cashew value chain.
A major focus will be increasing the processing of cashew apples, an initiative expected to create jobs and generate additional revenue under the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation (AET) agenda.
To further strengthen production, TCDA announced plans to distribute three million elite cashew seedlings to farmers across the country.
The initiative is expected to boost productivity, improve yields and support the expansion of Ghana’s cashew industry.
The Authority also highlighted reforms being implemented under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Osei-Okrah.
Among the notable achievements is the training and deployment of 100 Compliance Officers to strengthen transparency, accountability and enforcement within the tree crops sector.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth
As Ghana positions itself as a major player in the global cashew market, the TCDA says it remains focused on regulating, developing and promoting the tree crops industry for the benefit of farmers and all stakeholders.
With competitive producer prices, ambitious expansion programmes and renewed efforts to combat misinformation, the Authority believes the future of Ghana’s cashew industry remains bright.
The latest clarification serves as a reminder that accurate information remains critical in protecting farmer interests and sustaining confidence in one of Ghana’s fastest-growing agricultural sectors.
