The government has announced the 2024 minimum producer price for shea nuts, setting it at GH₵4.74 per kilogramme for the upcoming shea season. This announcement was made during the opening of the World Shea Expo in Tamale, in a speech delivered on behalf of the Vice President by Mohammed Hardi Tuferu, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture. This marks the first time since 2013 that a minimum producer price has been established, following extensive consultations by the Tree Crop Development Authority.
However, the shea industry is facing significant challenges, including a projected drop in production by 40% to 50% for the 2024/2025 crop season. Ghana’s shea processing capacity exceeds 300,000 metric tonnes, but only 90,000 metric tonnes are currently available for commercial use, forcing processing companies to import shea nuts from neighbouring countries such as Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Togo. An industry expert noted that over 90% of processed shea is exported, which helps offset the losses from importing raw shea nuts.
The decline in production is largely attributed to adverse weather conditions due to climate change and poor farming practices. The expert, who chose to remain anonymous, said the use of herbicides and chemicals is degrading soil quality and reducing the bee population, which is crucial for the pollination of shea trees. The dwindling bee population has also led to a decline in honey production, once commonly sold along roadsides in shea-growing areas. The expert warned that the shea trading season, typically running from August to March, might end as early as November or December this year due to the reduced yields.
