Palm nuts and kernels market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The market for palm nuts and kernels in Ghana expanded from 2 534 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 707 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was initiated by government policies promoting the oil palm industry, including the involvement of state-owned entities like the Oil Palm Research Institute. The establishment of the Tree Crops Development Authority in 2019 created a regulatory body to improve production and processing, while continued support through initiatives such as the Presidential Special Initiative on Oil Palm distributed subsidized seedlings to farmers, directly increasing cultivation areas and output.

Market volume rose further to 3 099 thousand tons by 2023, driven by concrete government actions. The 2022 launch of the 'Red Gold' initiative distributed 1.5 million oil palm seedlings and introduced import regulations to protect local processors, stimulating domestic production. A major 2023 investment plan worth 6.9 billion cedis aimed to develop 100 000 hectares of new plantations, significantly boosting production capacity and supporting sectoral growth.

Production palm nuts and kernels in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Ghana ranked 9th globally in palm nuts and kernels production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Ghana's palm nuts and kernels production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 708 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 3.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The export market for palm nuts and kernels showed volatility during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 13.3-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Ghana's exports totalled 783 tonnes, a sharp 57.3% drop from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 430 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 82.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 46.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the dominant market for Ghana's palm nuts and kernels exports in volume terms, accounting for 84.3% of total flows. Other markets made up the remaining share.

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 cross-border shipments of palm nuts and kernels in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 383.3 thousand US dollars, up 71.4% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 308.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 59.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and the Netherlands formed the main cluster of markets for Ghana's palm nuts and kernels exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 42.5% of exports, Turkey for 19.1%, and the Netherlands for 18.2%, together making up 79.7% of total 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 palm nuts and kernels to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 1 170-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Ghana imported 700 tonnes of palm nuts and kernels, a massive increase of 116 945.5% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at just 1 tonne. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Liberia and Nigeria were the core sources for Ghana's palm nuts and kernels imports in volume terms, jointly representing 87.7% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively 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 import market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 277-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ghana's imports totalled 274.3 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 27 607.2% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 99.5%.

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

In 2017-2020, Ghana's imports in value terms were highly concentrated on Nigeria and Liberia, which together accounted for 88.6% of total flows. Other trade partners contributed the remainder.

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

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