MONROVIA — In a landmark move to reform its agricultural sector, the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has, for the first time, proposed official farmgate prices for cocoa and coffee. This new regulatory framework is designed to ensure a more transparent and equitable value chain, benefiting both farmers and buyers.
The announcement was made during a national stakeholder forum in Monrovia, where LACRA’s acting director general, Dan Saryee, called the moment a “defining moment in our country’s agricultural journey.” The one-day event brought together farmers, cooperatives, exporters, and other stakeholders to validate the pricing structure and discuss broader reforms for the country’s two key cash crops.
LACRA’s proposed pricing is based on international benchmarks from the International Cocoa Organization and the London International Coffee Exchange. These rates are adjusted to reflect local market conditions by subtracting exporter expenses and applying a standardized 15 percent profit margin and a 10 percent buying commission.
According to the proposal, a kilogram of Grade 1 conventional cocoa would sell for $4.73, while Grade 2 is set at $3.54, and sub-grade at $2.36. For organic cocoa, prices are higher at $6.10 for Grade 1, $4.58 for Grade 2, and $3.05 for sub-grade. For coffee, the proposed prices are $5.90 for Grade 1, $4.00 for Grade 2, and $2.30 for sub-grade.
Alpha Gongolee, LACRA’s deputy director of operations, noted that the pricing formula was developed after consultations with multiple government agencies and industry groups, including the Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture and the Liberia Revenue Authority. The final figure for conventional cocoa—$4.73—was presented as a technical compromise after farmer groups advocated for a higher price and exporters pushed for a lower one.
“This wasn’t just a numbers exercise,” Gongolee said. “It was about balancing profitability for exporters with survival for smallholder farmers.”
In addition to the new prices, the forum marked the official rollout of national grading standards. These standards, which outline specific requirements for moisture content and defect rates, will be used to resolve grading disputes and ensure fairness in pricing.
For cocoa, Grade 1 permits a defect rate of up to five percent, while Grade 2 allows up to eight percent, and sub-grade up to 18 percent. Similar standards were set for coffee, with Grade 1 requiring less than 0.5 percent moisture and no more than four percent defects.
LACRA also proposed several new regulatory measures to streamline the marketing chain. Under the new plan, only licensed produce agents, certified cooperatives, and registered farmer associations will be authorized to purchase cocoa and coffee at the farm level. Exporters will be required to source exclusively through these approved channels.
To keep farmers informed, a new 30-minute radio program will air twice a month to provide market updates, pricing information, and educational content. The program, a partnership between the Liberia Broadcasting System and the Liberia Agriculture and Environmental Journalists Network, aims to ensure this vital information reaches the farmers who need it most.
Saryee concluded the forum by reiterating LACRA’s commitment to broader sector reforms, including new traceability mechanisms, anti-smuggling measures, and a national farmer database. “We are laying a foundation,” he said. “Liberia’s agriculture sector must be accountable, competitive, and rewarding for the people who feed this country.”
While the proposed prices are subject to further review, the forum was widely praised as a key step toward modernizing the country’s cocoa and coffee industries.
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