Ghana is stepping up efforts to claim a bigger share of the booming global market for dried and processed fruits, as international demand for premium tropical products continues to rise.
Speaking at a workshop on export demand and raw material supply in Accra, the Director of Crop Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Solomon Gyan Ansah, explained that the country was well-positioned to become a leading supplier, backed by competitive advantages that few countries could match.
He stressed that the country’s ideal growing conditions, reputation for high-quality fruits such as mango, pineapple, coconut, papaya and banana, and increasing compliance with international certifications required by buyers in Europe and North America.
Dr Ansah said the sector was supported by responsive supply chains, a growing youthful workforce, and a favourable policy environment that encourages agribusiness investment and export expansion.
With these strengths, he said Ghana was on a firm path to meet the rising demand in markets such as Belgium, the United States and the United Kingdom, provided stakeholders continue to collaborate to address supply chain constraints and unlock the full potential of the fruit and tree crop sector.
He stated that the country’s long-term competitiveness would depend on strengthening the supply of quality raw materials and scaling up processing capacity to meet international volumes consistently.
Deepen partnerships
Dr Ansah urged value chain actors to adopt modern production practices and deepen partnerships that link farmers, processors, exporters, and research institutions.
“With the right coordination and commitment, Ghana can move from being a promising player to a dominant force in the global dried fruits market,” he said.
He said sustained investment in youth participation and climate-smart innovations would further strengthen the country’s export readiness.
“This sector has the potential to create jobs, drive rural development, and significantly increase Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings if we remain focused and united in purpose,” Dr. Ansah added.
The workshop
On the theme: “Export demand for processed fruits and raw material supply,” the workshop seeks to provide the platform for stakeholders to strategise on how Ghana’s raw material supply chain for fruits can be better organised to meet the growing export demand of the European Union (EU) and other high-end markets.
It provided opportunities for individuals to share experiences and best practices, as well as explore strategies to enhance competitiveness along the value chain.
The meeting was funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) with local coordination by Knox Consulting Limited.
Sustainable growth
The Programme Manager of CBI, Femke Dekker, said the project aims to foster sustainable growth within Ghana’s processed fruits and vegetables industry with a particular focus on the dried fruits sector.
She stated that ensuring the sector remains attractive and rewarding for the next generation is essential for long-term development.
“By bringing key actors together. We aim to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive value chain that meets buyer expectations and strengthens the connection between Ghana and international markets,” he said.
Significant step
The representative of Knox Consulting Limited, the National Coordinator of the CBI Dried Fruits Project, Sheila Assibey-Yeboah, said the workshop represents a significant step towards positioning Ghana as a reliable supplier of quality raw materials that meet EU standards and other global markets.
She explained that empowering local enterprises to compete effectively in the export market remains crucial and should never be underestimated.
She added that such empowerment would enhance collaboration across the sector, create opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups, and enable women to assume leadership roles in positioning Ghana as a leading source of quality raw materials.