By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has announced a minimum producer price (MPP) of GHS12.00 per kilogram for raw cashew nuts (RCN) for the 2025/2026 crop season.
The announcement, made on 15 December 2025, is in line with the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and Regulation 47 (1) and (2) of L.I. 2471.
According to the TCDA, the approved price applies to raw cashew nuts that meet the following quality specifications:
- Kernel outturn ratio (KOR): 46
- Nut count (NC): 190 nuts per kilogram
- Moisture content: 10% or less
The authority said the pricing decision followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the cashew value chain, including farmers, aggregators, traders, exporters, processors and industry associations.
The TCDA noted that the MPP is based on prevailing free-on-board (FOB) market prices, the average six-month exchange rate from the Bank of Ghana, and other operational and statutory considerations. The price, it said, is intended to motivate farmers and enhance competition within the domestic cashew market.
As part of broader sector support, the government will roll out several interventions during the 2025/2026 season and beyond. These include the distribution of free elite seedlings, provision of agro-inputs, enhanced extension services, and matching grants for processors to boost value addition. Support will also be extended to farmer-based organisations (FBOs) and value chain associations through capacity-building initiatives.
The TCDA also announced the enforcement of regulatory measures under L.I. 2471 for the upcoming season. These include requirements on drying and quality standards, registration and licensing, the use of farmers’ passbooks, conveyance certificates, branded sacks, warehouse certification, checkpoints and other traceability mechanisms.
All actors in the cashew value chain are required to register and obtain licences from the TCDA. Existing licenses for the 2025/2026 season must be renewed by January 15, 2026.
In addition, registered exporters and traders are required to submit their expected export volumes by 15 January 2026 and pay all applicable statutory levies to support planning and regulation.
The authority cautioned that it is an offence to purchase raw cashew nuts below the approved minimum producer price, adding that enforcement measures will be applied to ensure compliance.
The TCDA said it will continue to monitor and review the RCN price in response to market changes to ensure price stability and fairness within the industry.
The authority expressed appreciation to cashew value chain actors, industry associations, traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the media and other stakeholders for their contributions to strengthening regulation and order in Ghana’s cashew sector.
