The Association of Cashew Processors Ghana (ACPG) has called for stronger policy support and investment in local cashew processing, arguing that increased domestic value addition is essential for creating jobs, expanding export revenues, and unlocking the full economic potential of Ghana’s cashew industry.
Speaking on behalf of the association, ACPG President Antonio Manuel Caramelo Raposo said Ghana has developed one of Africa’s most vibrant cashew industries over the past two decades, with more than 300,000 farmers directly involved in cultivation and many others earning livelihoods through trading, transportation, and processing activities along the value chain.
Despite producing about 200,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually and ranking among West Africa’s leading producers, Mr. Raposo noted that only a small fraction of the country’s output is processed locally.
According to him, the continued export of raw cashew nuts means Ghana is missing out on significant opportunities to generate additional value, employment, and foreign exchange earnings.
“Ghana has already invested, with support from development partners such as GIZ, the World Bank and NAIRAS, in building processing capacity, developing skilled labour and strengthening export expertise.
However, much of this processing infrastructure remains underutilised because processors face limited access to raw materials,” he said.
Mr. Raposo explained that fully utilising existing processing facilities could create thousands of additional jobs while increasing the export of higher-value cashew products instead of raw nuts.
The association referenced estimates from the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), which indicate that Ghana’s cashew industry could generate more than US$660 million annually through stronger regulation, expanded processing activities, and increased value addition.
The ACPG also highlighted experiences from other African countries where local processing has delivered greater economic benefits than the export of unprocessed commodities.
Studies supported by international development organisations show that processing cashew within producing countries generates substantial employment opportunities and stimulates wider economic activity across multiple sectors.
According to the association, large-scale local processing has the potential to support hundreds of thousands of direct jobs across Africa while strengthening industrial development and export competitiveness.
The ACPG believes Ghana is strategically positioned to evolve beyond being a major producer of raw cashew nuts and emerge as a regional hub for cashew processing, food manufacturing, and agro-industrial development.
Such a transition, the association said, would strengthen rural economies, create sustainable employment opportunities for women and young people, and increase the proportion of export value retained within the country.
The association stressed that its call for increased local processing should not be interpreted as an attempt to restrict trade. Rather, it is advocating a balanced approach that supports both exports and domestic industrialisation.
“By encouraging local processing alongside a competitive and transparent market, Ghana can maximise the benefits of its cashew industry for farmers, businesses, communities and future generations,” Mr. Raposo stated.
The ACPG is therefore urging policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders to introduce measures that improve access to raw materials for processors, strengthen the processing sector, and ensure the country captures greater value from its growing cashew industry.
