Ghana earns $1.8 billion in cocoa exports in the first four months of 2025, according to the Bank of Ghana, an increase from the $579 million recorded during the same period in 2024.
Industry experts say this performance signals a significant rebound for one of the nation’s most vital export commodities.
“This is a turning point for Ghana’s cocoa industry,” said a senior official at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). “We are witnessing the results of targeted efforts to boost production, support farmers, and safeguard cocoa-growing areas from competing pressures such as illegal mining.”
Cocoa remains Ghana’s second-largest export earner after gold and a critical source of livelihood for millions of households. The recent performance not only improves the country’s trade balance but also offers a temporary cushion against ongoing fiscal pressures.
Why the Boom?
The new Ghanaian government under President Mahama increased the price paid to cocoa farmers, making it more attractive for them to sell through legal channels. This move curbed the rampant smuggling of beans into neighboring countries where prices had historically been higher.
Ghanaian authorities have also intensified the fight against galamsey (illegal mining), which had encroached on cocoa-producing lands. This has helped protect vital farmland and restored confidence in agricultural productivity.
After a dip in 2023/2024, COCOBOD estimates that cocoa output in the 2024/2025 season will reach 700,000 metric tons, a 32% increase from the previous season’s 531,000 metric tons.
