The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has estimated that the country’s cashew industry holds the potential to generate over US$660 million in annual revenue if proper regulation, processing infrastructure, and export support is offered the sector.
Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, shared this projection during a stakeholder engagement in the Bono Region, where the Authority convened farmers, processors, aggregators, and traditional leaders to address regulatory reforms, pricing structures, and market expansion strategies.
The forum was to strengthen collaboration across the cashew value chain while deepening understanding of TCDA regulations, licensing requirements, and pricing mechanisms.
Cashew is one of Ghana’s most valuable export commodities, playing a critical role in non-traditional export earnings and rural employment.
However, the TCDA acknowledged that weak regulation, inconsistent pricing, and limited processing capacity have prevented the sector from reaching its full economic potential.
The commodity is among six high-value tree crops identified under the government’s Tree Crops Development Agenda.
The TCDA is currently implementing measures to stabilize farm gate prices, enforce licensing requirements, and ensure transparency across the value chain. These interventions, according to the Authority, are designed to protect farmers from market exploitation, attract investment into local processing facilities, and enhance Ghana’s position as a leading cashew exporter in West Africa.
The Authority is developing a national pricing framework to guide buyers, processors, and exporters. This framework will introduce predictability and fairness, ensuring that both farmers and investors benefit from a stable, competitive market environment.
The goal extends beyond exporting raw nuts to building a robust cashew economy that promotes industrial processing, job creation, and higher export earnings for Ghana.
Indeed, industry experts project that with appropriate policies, Ghana could rival Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in regional cashew exports while expanding domestic processing to capture greater value within the country.
Currently, Ghana exports approximately US$300 million worth of cashew annually, but more than 90 percent of production is exported as raw nuts rather than processed kernels. This represents a significant missed opportunity for value addition and economic growth.
The cashew sector directly supports approximately 300,000 farmers and an estimated 200,000 additional people involved in trading, transportation, and processing.
The industry is concentrated in seven regions, with Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo serving as major production zones. In 2020, Ghana exported roughly 139,743 metric tons of raw cashew nuts, generating US$251.4 million, with Vietnam and India serving as primary processing destinations.
TCDA’s renewed focus on regulation, transparency, and innovation aligns with government efforts to diversify export earnings beyond cocoa and build a more resilient agricultural economy driven by industrialization and inclusive growth.
