Coconuts market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

Ghana's coconut production demonstrated steady growth from 474 000 tonnes in 2018 to 531 800 tonnes by 2023, while domestic market volume fluctuated due to varying export levels, reaching 509 500 tonnes in 2023. This upward trajectory in output from 2022 onward was supported by concerted efforts to revive and expand the industry, beginning with targeted investments in the Western Region to establish seed gardens and plant millions of new trees.

A major acceleration was driven by the national coconut revolution initiative launched in 2023, which involved the distribution of 3 million elite seedlings to expand cultivation area and aimed to shift the sector toward value-added processing for oils, cosmetics, and fiber. This was backed by institutional strengthening and a $200 million World Bank loan secured by the Tree Crops Development Authority for productivity enhancement and climate resilience, directly contributing to the 5% production increase in 2023.

Concurrently, rising consumer demand linked to health awareness bolstered domestic consumption, and private sector expansion played a key role. Companies like Annan-Forson scaled up processing and export operations, while new entrepreneurs entered the market. The establishment of the African Coconut Board in Ghana and events like the International Coconut Festival strengthened market linkages, supporting the overall market growth through 2024.

Production coconuts in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana ranked 13th globally in coconut production.

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Ghana's coconut production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 494.4 thousand tonnes of coconuts, marking a modest 2.0% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coconuts from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 574 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 32 246 tonnes in 2019, representing a 56-fold increase. In 2020, Ghana's coconut exports fell to 4 575 tonnes, an 85.8% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 97.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 5,514.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria remained Ghana's dominant export partner for coconuts in volume terms, accounting for 89.7% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ghana in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Ghana's coconut exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 8 458 thousand US dollars, a 194.5% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 367.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 67.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ghana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of coconut exports in value terms was highly diversified. The Dominican Republic (18.7% of export value), Italy (12.9%), and Switzerland (12.4%) together accounted for 44.0% of total flows, while the remaining 56.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ghana in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconuts to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 8 tonnes, then rose sharply to a peak of 235 tonnes in 2020, a 30-fold increase. In 2020, Ghana imported 235 tonnes of coconuts, a 2,937.3% gain from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 52.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Côte d'Ivoire clearly dominated Ghana's coconut imports in volume terms, taking 87.0% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ghana in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values dropped to a minimum of 18 thousand US dollars in 2019, then climbed to a maximum of 102 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 5.7-fold shift. In 2020, Ghana's coconut imports totaled 102 thousand US dollars, up 469.7% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 56.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ghana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (50.3% of import value), South Africa (15.7%), and Sri Lanka (12.8%) led the ranking of coconut suppliers to Ghana, with their combined share reaching 78.8% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ghana in value, 2017-2020