TCDA debunks ‘20% cut’ claims, insists cashew price stays at GH¢12 per kilo
The Tree Crops Development Authority has dismissed claims that the government has reduced the producer price of raw cashew nuts by 20 per cent, insisting that the approved rate of GH¢12.00 per kilogram for the 2025/2026 crop season remains in force.
In a clarification notice, the Authority cautioned farmers and industry players against misinformation circulating in sections of the media and on social platforms.
“TCDA would like to clarify that there's no truth to the claim that the government has reduced the RCN price by 20%,” the statement said.
It further stressed that the price-setting process is structured and consultative, rejecting suggestions of any unilateral adjustment.
“The cashew price is determined by TCDA in collaboration with all cashew stakeholders/actors using an agreed legitimate transparent pricing formula. No such announcement has been made, and the price remains unchanged. Only TCDA can announce any change to the cashew price. TCDA will keep you updated on any official changes. WATCH OUT FOR FAKE NEWS.”
The clarification follows the government’s earlier approval of GH¢12.00 per kilogram as the Minimum Producer Price for Raw Cashew Nuts for the 2025/2026 season. The decision was taken under the Authority’s mandate in the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 and its accompanying L.I. 2471, particularly Regulation 47(1), which empowers the regulator to set producer prices for designated tree crops.
According to the Authority, the approved price was the outcome of a stakeholder engagement held on December 10, 2025, in Techiman in the Bono East Region. The meeting brought together farmers, aggregators, traders, exporters and processors along the raw cashew nut value chain to ensure what officials described as a transparent and inclusive pricing process.
Participants were taken through the approved pricing mechanism, which factored in a prevailing Free On Board price of 1,400 dollars per metric tonne, based on 48 Kernel Outturn Ratio and 180 nut count, with a maximum moisture content of 10 per cent. The formula also incorporated a six-month average exchange rate of GH¢11.0241 and other statutory and operational cost components.
Applying these variables, the indicative price generated by the formula stood at 1,012.08 dollars per metric tonne, equivalent to GH¢11,157.34, based on 46 KOR and 190 nut count at a maximum moisture content of 10 per cent. This translated into an indicative farmgate price of GH¢11.157 per kilogram.
However, after what the Authority described as extensive deliberations, stakeholders unanimously agreed to adopt a simplified and more farmer-friendly round figure. Government subsequently approved GH¢12.00 per kilogram as the Minimum Producer Price for the season.
The regulator said the consensus reflected a shared commitment to fairness and farmer motivation, while maintaining competitiveness within the domestic cashew market and providing predictability for traders, processors and exporters.
Stakeholders also agreed that the Minimum Producer Price would be reviewed periodically to reflect shifts in global market prices, exchange rate movements and other underlying parameters.
The Authority expressed appreciation to value chain actors for their participation, noting that the collaborative approach enhances confidence in the pricing regime and supports the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cashew industry.