Ghana’s cocoa export earnings surge to $3.9bn in 2025

Ghana’s cocoa export earnings rose sharply to $3.9 billion in 2025. This is more than double the amount recorded in 2024, according to data released by the Bank of Ghana.

The surge marks one of the strongest performances by the country’s cocoa sector in recent years, helped by higher global prices, increased export volumes and changes to domestic producer pricing mechanisms.

In 2024, Ghana earned just over $1.9 billion from cocoa exports. Cocoa earnings jumped in 2025, a significant rebound after years of production challenges linked to disease, climate pressures and smuggling.

Higher prices and volumes drive cocoa revenue

Bank of Ghana figures show that cocoa export receipts reached $2.47 billion by August 2025. This compares with $915 million over the same period in 2024. That shows the pace of the recovery.

Economists attribute the expansion largely to higher international cocoa prices. Improved shipment volumes followed the intervention by the Ghana Cocoa Board.

Cocoa remains Ghana’s second‑largest export earner after gold and plays a central role in foreign exchange generation and rural livelihoods.

Government raises farmgate cocoa prices

The Ghanaian government raised the cocoa farmgate price to $5,040 per metric tonne for the 2025/2026 season, in response to global price movements and to discourage cross‑border smuggling.

The new rate shows a 62.6 percent increase in dollar terms compared with the earlier season. It is aimed at ensuring farmers get a larger share of export value.

Finance officials said the revised pricing structure was designed to stabilise production and improve farmer income after several difficult seasons.

Production outlook improves

Ghana forecasts that cocoa production will exceed 650,000 tonnes in the 2025/2026 season. supported by favourable weather conditions and enhanced disease management efforts.

The Ghana Cocoa Board said it has expanded interventions targeting black pod disease, pest infestations, and ageing tree stock. It is also strengthening farmer support programmes.

Authorities have linked the rebound partly to improved compliance within the formal cocoa marketing system. This comes after years of revenue leakage caused by illegal exports.

Boost to Ghana’s broader export performance

Cocoa’s strong showing contributed to Ghana recording total export earnings of $31.1 billion in 2025, the highest level on record, according to central bank data.

Gold remained the dominant export and cocoa ranked second, ahead of oil, where earnings declined due to weaker global crude prices.

Sources

What was confirmed:

Ghana earned $3.9bn from cocoa exports in 2025, more than double 2024 levels, according to Bank of Ghana data.

• Bank of Ghana via HappyGhana
• Pulse Ghana, cocoa producer price increase
• Business Insider Africa, cocoa pricing policy [africa.bus...nsider.com]
• The Ghana Report, export earnings data