Ghana’s cocoa industry is making a powerful comeback, defying global price declines to deliver a record-breaking performance in 2025.
According to the Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Report, cocoa exports — including both beans and processed products — surged by an astonishing 170.2% in value to reach US$2.47 billion by August 2025. This marks a significant leap from US$915.8 million recorded during the same period in 2024, reaffirming cocoa’s status as the lifeblood of Ghana’s agricultural export economy.
The sharp rise in cocoa receipts, the report noted, was largely driven by improved weather conditions and the opening of the 2025/2026 cocoa season in August. These factors combined to boost output and strengthen the country’s overall production outlook for the rest of the year. Despite a slowdown in global demand and a moderation in international prices, Ghana’s cocoa story for 2025 is one of resilience, recovery, and renewed optimism.
Behind this resurgence lies a mix of natural and policy-driven factors that have together rejuvenated Ghana’s cocoa performance. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) attributes the sharp upturn in cocoa export earnings to favourable weather patterns across the major cocoa-growing regions, which boosted yields after a challenging 2024 season affected by erratic rainfall and pest infestations.
Moreover, improved coordination between COCOBOD and cocoa farmers has resulted in better field management practices, timely distribution of fertilizers, and disease control interventions. The government’s renewed commitment to farmer welfare — through initiatives such as the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme and increased access to farm inputs — has also played a crucial role in sustaining farmer productivity.
The BoG further indicated that improved export logistics and sustained investments in the Tema and Takoradi ports have enhanced the speed and efficiency of cocoa shipments, ensuring Ghana capitalizes on global market demand even amid fluctuating prices.
Cocoa Prices Decline but Revenues Surge
Interestingly, the record growth in export value occurred against the backdrop of a drop in global cocoa prices. International cocoa prices declined from US$10,869.14 per tonne in December 2024 to US$8,074.29 per tonne in August 2025, reflecting improved supply expectations from key producers such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Yet, Ghana’s higher export earnings underscore one important reality — volume growth can offset price dips. The impressive expansion in output compensated for the lower price per tonne, proving that strategic production growth and timely export execution can still yield strong foreign exchange inflows.
This development has provided a much-needed cushion for Ghana’s external sector, as cocoa remains a major source of foreign exchange earnings alongside gold and oil. The strong export receipts have also helped to stabilize the cedi, supporting the Bank of Ghana’s broader monetary policy goals.
Cocoa’s Vital Role in Economic Stability
The cocoa sector continues to anchor Ghana’s agricultural export performance and play a central role in supporting macroeconomic stability. In the first eight months of 2025, cocoa contributed significantly to the country’s export basket, helping to narrow the trade deficit and offset shortfalls in other commodity earnings.
The Bank of Ghana’s report highlighted that the surge in cocoa export earnings has strengthened the country’s balance of payments position, improved foreign reserves, and provided fiscal space for government programs. This comes at a time when Ghana is implementing economic recovery measures under the IMF-supported program, making every inflow critical to sustaining external stability.
Furthermore, the increase in cocoa revenue directly benefits thousands of smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on the crop. Improved incomes from higher output volumes are expected to stimulate rural economies and promote inclusive growth.
Industry Experts React to Cocoa’s Performance
Market analysts have described the 2025 cocoa rebound as a “sweet turnaround” for Ghana’s agriculture sector. They believe that the combination of favourable weather, strong institutional support, and export efficiency has helped reposition the industry after years of production challenges.
According to Dr. Kofi Mensah, an agricultural economist, “Ghana’s cocoa sector is showing the kind of resilience we’ve been hoping for. The growth we’re seeing in 2025 isn’t just about prices — it’s about the country’s capacity to produce more efficiently and sustainably.”
Industry observers also noted that sustained investment in farm rehabilitation and digital farmer registration systems introduced by COCOBOD are helping to modernize operations and ensure traceability, which are key for maintaining Ghana’s global reputation for premium-quality cocoa.
Outlook: Sustaining the Sweet Momentum
The Bank of Ghana remains optimistic that cocoa production will stay strong through the rest of 2025 and into early 2026. While the global market may experience price adjustments due to changing supply-demand dynamics, Ghana’s commitment to maintaining high production levels and quality standards positions it favorably.
The BoG’s outlook suggests that the combination of robust production, improved weather conditions, and enhanced export logistics will sustain the positive momentum. However, the report cautions that potential challenges such as climate variability, illegal mining in cocoa-growing areas, and global demand fluctuations must be carefully managed to preserve the gains.
As the 2025/2026 season gets underway, Ghana’s cocoa story stands as a reference point to strategic recovery. From US$915 million to US$2.47 billion in exports, the message is clear — Ghana’s cocoa is back on the world stage, and the future looks sweet indeed.
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