Cocoa export earnings surge by 158% to US$2.56 billion - Ato Forson

Ghana’s cocoa sector is experiencing a dramatic rebound, with export receipts rising by 158.6% to US$2.56 billion as of September 2025, the Minister of Finance Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.

Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday November 13, 2025, Dr Forson said the impressive growth reflects stronger global prices, increased production, and Ghana’s expanding capacity in cocoa processing.

“Cocoa export receipts, including beans and processed products, rose sharply by 158.6 percent to US$2.56 billion in September 2025, compared with US$989.9 million a year earlier,” he told Parliament.

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He explained that the 2025/26 crop season began on a strong note due to favourable weather conditions, improved farm-gate prices, and the success of the government’s Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEP).

According to him, these factors combined to give the industry an unprecedented boost.

“This remarkable performance reflects increased production, stronger global prices, and Ghana’s expanding capacity in cocoa processing,” he added.

Although international cocoa prices have dipped slightly in recent weeks due to expectations of higher global supply, Dr Forson assured that the medium-term outlook remains positive.

He also revealed that the government’s decision to acquire 200,000 hectares of land for cocoa cultivation is a major step toward reviving the sector and pushing annual output closer to one million metric tonnes.

“Government’s initiative to acquire 200,000 hectares for cocoa cultivation is a decisive step toward reviving the sector, targeting production levels of one million metric tonnes and boosting foreign exchange earnings,” he said.

The finance minister emphasised that the cocoa sector will remain a central pillar of Ghana’s economic recovery strategy.



MA