Kola nuts market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The kola nuts market in Ghana saw its volume expand from 22 238 tons in 2018 to a peak of 26 342 tons in 2020, an increase of 18%, before entering a downward trend that brought it to 22 711 tons by 2023. This pattern was largely shaped by shifts in international trade rather than changes in domestic output, which remained steady at around 24 500 tons per year. The market growth up to 2020 coincided with a surge in imports, which more than doubled, while exports temporarily fell. The subsequent contraction occurred as imports dropped sharply and export shipments recovered, reducing the net volume available domestically.

By 2023, the market size had nearly returned to its 2018 level, marking a stabilization after the earlier trade-driven fluctuations. The relative stability of local production indicates that supply-side factors were not the primary cause of the market's movements during this period.

Production kola nuts in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana maintained its position as the world's fourth-largest producer of kola nuts by volume.

Top producers of kola nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of kola nuts, 2017-2020

Ghana's kola nut production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 24 722 tonnes of kola nuts, marking a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production rose by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ghana's kola nut production value also increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 448 thousand US dollars, up by 3.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the total production value grew by 21%, averaging an annualized rate of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ghana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports kola nuts from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The export market for kola nuts from Ghana showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 461 tonnes, representing an 83.2% decline compared to 2019. In contrast, exports peaked in 2017, with a 16-fold difference between the peak and trough years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Ghana's kola nut exports in volume terms went to Nigeria, which accounted for 95.4% of the total export flows.

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

The export value data indicates a highly volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020, with a value of 102 thousand US dollars, down by 82.8% from 2019. The peak was in 2017, showing a 13.7-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 8.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Nigeria dominated Ghana's kola nut exports in value terms, holding a 93.6% share of the total export flows.

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

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

Imports kola nuts to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

Ghana's kola nut import market experienced an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 at 894 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 2 331 tonnes, with a 2.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 2 081 tonnes, down by 10.7% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 29.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 160.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of kola nuts to Ghana, accounting for 99.9% of total imports in volume terms.

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 import value market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 57 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 210 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.7-fold shift. In 2020, imports increased by 66.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 42.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 121.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of kola nuts to Ghana in value terms were almost entirely tied to Côte d'Ivoire, which held a 99.9% share of total import flows.

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

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