Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have agreed to harmonise their cocoa farm-gate pricing policies in a major step aimed at improving farmer incomes, stabilising the cocoa market, and strengthening cooperation between the world’s two largest cocoa-producing countries.
The commitment was contained in a Joint Declaration issued by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama at the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana High-Level Summit on the Future of the Cocoa Economy held in Abidjan on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The two leaders acknowledged that their countries account for about 60 percent of global cocoa production and therefore share a responsibility to shape the future of the sector while improving the welfare of cocoa farmers.
Under the agreement, the two countries pledged to harmonise farm-gate price policies to optimise producer remuneration, reduce market distortions, and deepen commercial cooperation. The initiative will include greater market synergy, alignment of premiums, and harmonisation of crop-season calendars.
The move is expected to reduce unhealthy competition across borders and strengthen the bargaining position of both countries in the global cocoa market.
In the declaration, the Heads of State reaffirmed that fair remuneration for cocoa farmers is essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector and for promoting economic justice and social stability in cocoa-growing communities.
They also highlighted the achievements of the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), including the introduction of the Living Income Differential (LID), efforts to harmonise marketing and price announcements, and cooperation on traceability and sustainable cocoa standards.
Despite these gains, the declaration noted that the sector continues to face major challenges, including price volatility, illegal gold mining, climate change, the increasing use of cocoa substitutes, and stricter international sustainability requirements.
Beyond price harmonisation, the two countries agreed to strengthen scientific cooperation in combating cocoa diseases, particularly Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease, expand cocoa processing and value addition, and promote greater regional consumption of cocoa products.
They further announced plans to expand the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative to include other African cocoa-producing countries, with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation, harmonising sector policies, and strengthening Africa’s collective bargaining power in the global cocoa economy.
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