Grapevine

Ghana’s cocoa farmers expect yield rebound in 2024/25 crop season

Ghanaian cocoa farmers expect a boost in the 2024/2025 season starting in October after a sharp fall in production this season contributed to boosting global cocoa prices to record levels.

Ghana witnessed one of its poorest harvests in a decade this season, attributed to harsh weather conditions resulting from El Nino, rampant smuggling and swollen shoot disease.

An increase in production would not only help Ghana's finances, but also the global chocolate industry that has been grappling with tight supply.

More than two dozen cocoa farmers, officials from regulator COCOBOD and buyers forecast a rebound in output next season thanks to improved weather and some rehabilitated from diseases and illegal gold mining.

The swollen shoot disease remains a concern, with the International Cocoa Organisation estimating the majority of one of Ghana's major growing regions remained infected.