The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, has officially declared the 2025/2026 cashew trading season open, assuring the global market of the exceptional quality and volume of Ghana’s raw cashew nuts (RCN).
Speaking at a high-level panel during the 12th World Cashew Conference in Dubai, Dr. Okrah dismissed concerns regarding crop quality, affirming that Ghana remains a reliable hub for high-grade nuts with superior Kernel Outturn Ratios (KOR).
“Ghana’s Raw Cashew Nuts for the 2025/2026 season are of very good quality, and we expect a strong outturn with high Kernel Outturn Ratio, as has been the case over the years. We operate a structured and traceable cashew supply chain, underpinned by a regulatory framework enforced by the Tree Crops Development Authority”
Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA
The official opening of the season follows the government’s approval of GHS 12.00 per kilogram as the minimum producer price for the period. This pricing floor, which was validated through a transparent stakeholder engagement process involving farmers, traders, and processors, is designed to protect farmer incomes while maintaining the competitiveness of Ghana’s domestic market.
Dr. Okrah emphasized that the 2025/2026 crop is expected to reach a production volume of approximately 270,000 metric tonnes, building on the sector’s strong performance from the previous year.
To safeguard the integrity of the new season, the TCDA CEO revealed that the Authority has deployed its first cohort of Compliance and Enforcement Officers. These officers are mandated to work alongside national security agencies and District Assemblies to monitor trade activity, prevent illegal smuggling, and ensure that all transactions occur within the regulated framework.
This move is part of a broader strategy to eliminate itinerant “middlemen,” who often manipulate weighing scales and underpay farmers at the farmgate. Dr. Okrah urged all international buyers and local exporters to deal exclusively with licensed operators.
He noted that transacting within the legal framework allows the TCDA to provide institutional support and resolve any contractual disputes that may arise during the season. This regulatory oversight is critical to restoring market discipline and bolstering investor confidence in the sector.
Export Permits and Value-Chain Reforms
Under the current Tree Crops Regulations (L.I. 2471), all exporters of unprocessed cashew must secure a valid written permit from the TCDA.
A key requirement for the 2025/2026 season is the presentation of proof of payment for TCDA development levies before a Phytosanitary Certificate can be issued by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD).
These levies are reinvested into the sector to fund research, provide free seedlings to over 10,000 farmers, and support the expansion of local processing factories. The Authority also noted the introduction of a passbook system for farmers and traders to enhance traceability and record-keeping.
By documenting the movement of nuts from the farmgate to the port, the TCDA aims to position Ghana as a leader in ethical and transparent cashew sourcing under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
“Our aim is not to punish exporters, but to educate, regulate, and coordinate. The TCDA has undertaken strategic reforms to streamline Ghana’s cashew industry, aimed at promoting sustainability, transparency, and global competitiveness. We expect this season to deliver significant value across the entire chain”
Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA
While the season focus is on raw cashew exports, the TCDA boss reaffirmed the government’s long-term goal of increasing local processing capacity.
“Ghana’s cashew industry is at a turning point. We are moving toward a system where we do not just export raw materials, but process them here to create jobs. The 2025/2026 season provides the foundation for this growth, ensuring that our farmers get fair prices while our industries get the raw materials they need”
Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA
Dr. Okrah also added that plans are underway to offer matching grants to domestic processors to help them retain a higher percentage of the crop for value-added products like cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL).
This industrialization drive is a central pillar of the 24-Hour Economy agenda, which seeks to transform Ghana from a primary producer into a diversified industrial hub.
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