Ghana’s drive to expand industrial capacity and move up the value chain delivered a record performance in 2025, with non traditional exports surging as cocoa processing and other value added products led growth, official data showed.
Non traditional exports – outside commodities – rose to about $2.42 billion in 2025, a 53% jump from roughly $1.59 billion in 2024, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
Processed and semi processed goods accounted for more than 83% of export earnings, underscoring a shift away from raw commodity dependence.
Cocoa paste remained the top non traditional export, earning $789.3 million, up nearly 71% year on year. Cocoa butter and cocoa powder recorded triple digit growth, reaching about $469 million and $173 million respectively, driven by stronger demand from Europe and other industrial markets. GEPA said total cocoa related earnings climbed to about $3.69 billion, describing it as a milestone for Ghana’s industrialization strategy.
Europe remained Ghana’s main export destination, led by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France. Intra African trade also expanded, accounting for more than 30% of non traditional export earnings, supported by demand within West Africa.
Global cocoa markets have remained volatile this year, with prices near multi decade highs due to tight supply, erratic weather, ageing trees and crop diseases in major producing countries. While high prices have boosted export revenues, they have raised costs for processors, reinforcing Ghana’s push to expand domestic processing and capture more value.
