Ghana’s cassava sector holds significant untapped export potential, but unlocking greater value from the crop will depend on expanding processing capacity, improving quality standards and targeting regional markets with higher-value products, according to agribusiness experts.
Although Ghana is one of Africa’s leading cassava producers, much of its annual harvest is consumed locally in traditional forms such as gari, fufu and kokonte, leaving substantial opportunities for value addition through industrial processing.
Experts say increasing demand for processed cassava products across West Africa and beyond presents an opportunity for Ghana to diversify exports, create jobs and increase incomes for farmers.
Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Group, Daniel Fahene Acquaye, said Ghana must shift from exporting raw agricultural commodities to producing processed goods capable of competing in regional and international markets.
According to him, cassava has evolved beyond being merely a staple food and is now an important industrial crop with applications in food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper production, breweries and biofuel industries.
“Ghana produces millions of tonnes of cassava annually, yet the bulk of the crop is consumed domestically with relatively little value addition. Processing cassava into industrial starch, high-quality cassava flour, ethanol and packaged food products offers significantly higher returns than selling fresh roots,” Mr. Acquaye said.
He noted that countries across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) increasingly import processed cassava products, creating a ready market for Ghanaian manufacturers.
He said regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents another opportunity for local processors to access larger markets with reduced trade barriers.
“If Ghana positions itself strategically, locally processed cassava products can become an important non-traditional export, earning foreign exchange while supporting industrialisation,” he added.
Mr. Acquaye observed that global demand for gluten-free products has also created new opportunities for high-quality cassava flour, particularly among food manufacturers seeking alternative ingredients.
He explained that cassava starch is increasingly used by pharmaceutical companies, textile manufacturers and paper producers, while ethanol derived from cassava is finding applications in industrial manufacturing and renewable energy.
Despite the opportunities, he said several structural challenges continue to limit the industry’s growth.
Among them are inadequate processing facilities, inconsistent supply of quality raw materials, limited mechanisation, high transportation costs and insufficient financing for processors seeking to expand production.
He also identified post-harvest losses as a major concern because fresh cassava deteriorates rapidly after harvesting, making processing facilities essential to preserving quality and reducing waste.
Mr. Acquaye urged government and private investors to increase investments in modern cassava processing plants located closer to farming communities.
He said strengthening farmer cooperatives and promoting contract farming arrangements would help processors secure reliable supplies of quality cassava throughout the year.
He further called for greater investment in research to develop improved cassava varieties with higher starch content and better industrial characteristics.
According to him, obtaining internationally recognised food safety and quality certifications will also be critical if Ghanaian exporters are to compete successfully in premium export markets.
He stressed that access to affordable financing remains essential for processors seeking to invest in modern equipment capable of producing export-quality products at competitive costs.
Mr. Acquaye also encouraged stronger collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, exporters and agribusinesses to build integrated cassava value chains that connect farmers directly to processors and export markets.
He said such collaboration would enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the competitiveness of Ghana’s processed agricultural exports.
With agriculture expected to play a central role in Ghana’s industrialisation agenda, industry observers believe expanding cassava processing could become one of the country’s most promising avenues for export diversification, rural employment and foreign exchange generation.
