Ghana's Cocoa Harvest Falls Short of Target: COCOBOD CEO Speaks Out

Ghana's Cocoa Sector Faces Setback: COCOBOD CEO Reveals Production Target Miss Ghana's cocoa production for the 2024/2025 season is expected to fall short of its target, according to Dr. Ransford A. Abbey, CEO of the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). In an interview with JoyNews, Abbey stated that while the final figures are still being compiled, production is expected to be close to 590,000 tons, slightly below the projected 610,000 tons. He attributed the shortfall to various challenges within the sector, without specifying details. "From where I sit, I get the data every week," Abbey explained, "and we're getting close to 590,000 tons. This is where we are doing the light crop." Abbey acknowledged that the current cocoa prices are not sustainable. However, he expressed optimism about the prospects for the 2025/2026 season, suggesting that production could increase significantly then. The interview highlights the importance of the cocoa sector to Ghana's economy and the ongoing efforts to improve production and pricing strategies. The slight miss in the production target serves as a reminder of the challenges facing this vital industry.