Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Ltd, a leading producer of premium Made-in-Ghana juices, has secured a significant export contract that will require the company to operate on a 24-hour production schedule.
The company, whose products have gained international recognition and are available on platforms like Walmart.com, is set to expand its operations, creating over 12,000 jobs.
In a strategic partnership with Central Citrus Ltd, Ekumfi aims to scale up production to meet rising global demand.
Central Citrus Ltd, built with local material support from Dzata Cement, will also begin 24-hour operations in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) district, contributing an additional 15,000 jobs to the local economy.
Central Citrus Ltd is set to process 15 tons of oranges per hour, introducing high-yield, flavorful citrus varieties like the Pixie to replace older, less productive crops.
This initiative is designed to provide sustainable livelihoods for farmers and the youth in surrounding communities, while supporting import substitution and boosting exports.
The combined efforts of Ekumfi Fruits & Juices, Central Citrus Ltd, and other companies, including the Komenda Sugar Factory, are positioning Ghana to become a key player in the global natural food and beverage industry, an industry valued at over $550 billion globally.
Currently, Ghana imports approximately $250 million worth of food and beverages annually, but these new ventures aim to reverse that trend and establish Ghana as a major exporter.
It is estimated that Ghana could generate over $5 billion annually from its fruits and exotics value chain by utilizing just 800,000 hectares of land, about one-third of the total area currently dedicated to cocoa farming.
However, this expansion has the potential to create over 900,000 direct jobs, transforming the agricultural sector and stimulating economic growth.
The new contracts and production expansions mark a pivotal moment for Ghana’s agro-processing industry, offering a pathway to increased employment, sustainable farming, and enhanced global competitiveness in the natural foods market.
