Ghana’s non-traditional exports exceed $5bn mark

Ghana’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing the US$5 billion mark for the first time and recording nearly 30 per cent growth compared to the previous year, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).

The remarkable performance underscores the country's ongoing efforts to diversify its export portfolio, reduce dependence on traditional commodities, and strengthen foreign exchange earnings through value-added exports.

The announcement was made by Rashid Raymond Kramer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEPA in charge of Marketing and Promotions, during the Eye on Port media forum organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

Mr. Kramer described the achievement as a significant breakthrough for Ghana’s export industry, noting that it reflects the growing competitiveness of Ghanaian products on the global market.

According to him, crossing the US$5 billion threshold represents a major step towards achieving the country's ambitious target of generating US$10 billion in non-traditional export earnings by 2030.

“This is a major milestone for Ghana. It demonstrates the increasing contribution of non-traditional exports to the economy and validates efforts aimed at diversifying our export base,” he stated.

The strong growth in export earnings is expected to boost foreign exchange inflows, support economic growth, create jobs, and enhance the resilience of the Ghanaian economy against fluctuations in global commodity prices.

Mr. Kramer revealed that value-added cocoa products played a leading role in driving the impressive export performance.

He noted that cocoa butter, cocoa cake and other processed cocoa products generated more than US$800 million in export earnings, making them among the top-performing commodities within the non-traditional export sector.

The increasing global demand for processed cocoa products has enabled Ghana to capture greater value from its cocoa industry instead of relying primarily on raw bean exports.

Industry analysts believe the trend highlights the importance of local processing and industrialisation in maximising returns from Ghana's agricultural resources.

Beyond cocoa products, several agricultural commodities also recorded strong growth in international markets.

Mr. Kramer identified cashew, shea products, coconut, yam, mango and a range of processed agricultural goods as key contributors to the sector's outstanding performance.

These products continue to enjoy growing demand across Europe, North America, Asia and other emerging markets due to increasing consumer interest in natural, organic and sustainably sourced products.

The diversification of export commodities has helped reduce reliance on a limited number of products while expanding opportunities for farmers, processors and exporters.

A major factor behind the sector’s growth has been the increasing focus on value addition and agro-processing.

According to GEPA, many exporters are moving away from the traditional practice of exporting raw agricultural produce and are instead investing in processing and packaging to increase the value of their products.

This shift is helping businesses earn higher revenues, improve competitiveness and reduce post-harvest losses that have historically affected agricultural production.

Mr. Kramer stressed that value addition remains one of the most effective ways of increasing export earnings while simultaneously creating employment opportunities across the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

“Value addition is critical if Ghana is to maximise the benefits of its agricultural resources. It increases earnings, creates jobs and enhances the competitiveness of our products in global markets,” he explained.

The Deputy CEO highlighted GEPA’s Accelerated Export Development Programme as one of the key initiatives supporting exporters across the country.

The programme is designed to assist businesses in improving product quality, meeting international standards, accessing new markets and strengthening their export capacity.

GEPA is also working closely with industry stakeholders, trade associations and development partners to help Ghanaian exporters take advantage of opportunities under regional and international trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mr. Kramer expressed confidence that continued investment in processing infrastructure, logistics, packaging, market access and export financing will help sustain the sector’s growth trajectory.

“With the right investments and policy support, Ghana can become a leading exporter of value-added products in Africa and achieve its target of US$10 billion in non-traditional export earnings by 2030,” he said.

The growth of non-traditional exports is increasingly being viewed as a critical component of Ghana’s broader economic transformation strategy.

Economists argue that expanding exports beyond traditional commodities such as gold, cocoa beans and crude oil will help diversify revenue streams, improve trade balances and reduce the country’s vulnerability to global commodity price shocks.

As Ghana pursues industrialisation and export-led growth, the latest performance figures offer strong evidence that investments in value addition, processing and export development are beginning to yield significant results.

With global demand for processed agricultural products continuing to rise, industry players believe the country is well-positioned to build on this momentum and further strengthen its standing in international trade.