Ghana’s cashew sector has the potential to generate over $600 million in annual revenue if properly regulated and supported with processing and export incentives, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has revealed.
The Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, made this known at a stakeholder engagement held in Drobo, Bono Region, where the Authority met with farmers, processors, aggregators, and traditional leaders to discuss regulatory reforms, pricing frameworks, and market opportunities.
Dr. Okrah said cashew was one of Ghana’s most promising export commodities, contributing significantly to non-traditional export earnings and rural employment.
However, weak regulation, inconsistent pricing, and low processing capacity have limited its full economic potential.
“Cashew is one of the six high-value tree crops identified under the government’s Tree Crops Development Agenda. With proper regulation, value addition, and export support, the sector could easily surpass $600 million annually,” Dr. Okrah said.
He said the TCDA was implementing measures to stabilize farm-gate prices, enforce licensing requirements, and ensure transparency across the value chain.
These interventions, he explained, would protect farmers from market exploitation, attract investment into local processing, and enhance Ghana’s position as a leading cashew exporter in West Africa.
The Authority is also developing a national pricing framework to guide buyers, processors, and exporters. This framework, Dr. Okrah noted, would introduce predictability and fairness, ensuring that both farmers and investors benefit from a stable, competitive market environment.
He emphasized that the success of these initiatives depended on close collaboration among stakeholders from farmers and aggregators to local authorities and export agencies to sustain raw cashew supply and improve product quality.
“Our goal is not just to export raw nuts but to build a robust cashew economy that promotes industrial processing, job creation, and higher export earnings for Ghana,” he added.
Mr. Joseph Bashir Asibi, the Municipal Coordinating Director of Jaman South, commended TCDA’s efforts to engage stakeholders directly, describing the move as timely and transformative for the cashew industry.
He pledged the Assembly’s support in promoting local production, ensuring compliance with TCDA regulations, and facilitating investment in processing facilities.
Experts project that with the right policies, Ghana could rival Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in regional cashew exports while expanding domestic processing to capture greater value within the country.
The TCDA’s renewed focus on regulation, transparency, and innovation aligns with government efforts to diversify export earnings beyond cocoa and build a more resilient agricultural economy driven by industrialization and inclusive growth.
