Ivory Coast and Ghana invited buyers and processors to discuss proposals for setting a joint minimum price for their cocoa beans, the latest sign that the world’s top producers are serious about improving cooperation.
The two countries last year outlined plans to coordinate cocoa production and marketing as part of efforts to exert more control in the market after sharp price swings in recent years. However, traders and analysts have expressed skepticism about how far they will be willing to go.
Ivory Coast and Ghana’s cocoa regulators jointly invited international partners to meetings June 11-12 in Accra and June 18-19 in Abidjan, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.
The two countries, which account for about 60% of the world’s cocoa output, said that a floor price will address income disparity in the cocoa value chain, according to a copy of the invitation seen by Bloomberg. A drop in the income and standard of living of cocoa farmers threatens the sustainability of the cocoa industry, the document said.
Ivory Coast and Ghana usually sell about 80% of the main harvest before the beginning of every season, a system which allows them to lock in prices and set the minimum pay for farmers.A spokeswoman for the Ghana Cocoa Board declined to comment when contacted by phone. A spokeswoman for Ivory Coast cocoa regulator Le Conseil du Cafe-Cacao didn’t answer calls seeking comment.
The two regulators were in talks to study a price in a range of 1,700 pounds ($2,200) to 2,000 pounds per ton on a free-on-board basis, people familiar with the matter said in February.
Ivory Coast has already brought its sales system closer to Ghana’s by selling directly to buyers rather than through auctions.
Latest Stories
-
Maternal and newborn health crisis worsens as late referrals surge
12 minutes -
Farmer fined GH₵4,800 for stealing 5 sacks of ginger
16 minutes -
Livestream: The Law discusses Article 146 – prima facie
47 minutes -
Appeal Court judge slams weak enforcement of Land Act as land disputes dominate court cases
2 hours -
Police arrest two suspects for robbery at Ashaiman
2 hours -
Fire ravages apartments, stores at Akyem Kwabeng
2 hours -
Tano Anwia’s concession owner teams up with Forestry Commission to combat galamsey
3 hours -
Gov’t allocates GH₵490m to Education Ministry
3 hours -
Tragedy: Nigerian boxer dies after Ghana Pro League bout
3 hours -
Opoku-Agyemang undergoes treatment at UGMC, set to receive further care abroad
6 hours -
The mystery of Bomigo: an island of divine laws, sacred goats, and unwavering traditions
8 hours -
Government’s GH₵ 292.4 million mistake: why free sanitary pads are the problem, not the solution
8 hours -
Crystal Palace beat Fulham to book FA Cup semi-final spot
17 hours -
Forest beat Brighton on penalties to reach FA Cup semi-final
18 hours -
MTN FA Cup 2024/25: Berekum Chelsea book semis slot with win over Bechem United
18 hours