In Ghana, the price of raw cashew nuts is regulated by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) under Act 1010 and L.I. 2471. Every season, after a stakeholder meeting in Techiman, TCDA sets a Minimum Producer Price.
The price is worked out from four things:
1. The international FOB price — for example $1,400 per tonne for the 2025/26 season.
2. The quality standard — 46–48 KOR (Kernel Outturn Ratio), 180–190 nuts per kg and a maximum of 10% moisture.
3. The exchange rate — a six-month average of the cedi to the dollar (GH₵11.0241 was used for 2025/26).
4. Supply chain costs — port charges, levies, transport and the exporter's margin.
For 2025/26 the formula gave GH₵11.16 per kg, which stakeholders rounded up to a minimum of GH₵12.00 per kg. In 2024 the minimum was GH₵8.50 per kg, and in 2025 some areas recorded up to GH₵15 per kg for premium quality.
No buyer can buy below the TCDA minimum. Buyers can pay more for nuts with a higher KOR and lower moisture — so good drying and sorting put more money in your pocket.