Ghana’s cocoa production is expected to fall 16% next season

The regulator said the outlook in those two regions, which ​together account for more than half of Ghana's output, had ​been aggravated by the combined effects of swollen shoot disease, ageing cocoa farms, ‌and ⁠an increase in illegal gold mining.

COCOBOD said it has taken action to ​limit losses, including rehabilitating infected farms in the ​Western North ⁠Region, expanding insecticide and fungicide spraying and reintroducing a nationwide free fertiliser distribution scheme for the 2026/27 crop year.

The projection for the 12-month season that begins in September follows warnings from ​farmers in the ​Western and Western ⁠North regions, who reported sharply reduced pod counts this season.