Western Regional Minister assures cocoa processing companies of solution to beans shortage

The shortage of cocoa beans in the Ghanaian market to satisfy cocoa processing companies is affecting their productions.

Currently, demand for cocoa beans for processing into finished and semi-finished products by cocoa processing companies is exceeding supply, according to one of the industry players, Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited.

The company, reeling under this challenge made known their predicaments when Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, visited the factory at Eshiem in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

The visit carried out by the Minister formed part of his familiarisation tour of institutions in the region upon assumption of office.

At Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, the Management made known to the Minister the facts about the cocoa industry.

Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, they noted, is not being able to handle the cocoa industry with adequate supply of cocoa beans for improved production.

According to the Management, the country is currently facing shortage of cocoa beans due to various challenges.

The country’s cocoa output for the 2023/24 season is expected to be almost 40% below its target of 820,000 metric tonnes, according to figures obtained.

This shortage, is attributed to several factors including diseases such as swollen shoot virus and black pod which have all affected over 80,000 hectares of cocoa farms in the country, therefore cutting down yields by up to 50% in some areas.

The issue of climate change, experts have indicated, has also led to poor weather conditions, further impacting cocoa production in popular cocoa growing communities in Ghana.

Aside that, deforestation and illegal mining activities have also been blamed for contributing to the decline in cocoa production according to industry players.

Many cocoa farmers in Ghana are also aging, and the younger generation is not interested in taking over the cocoa farming as business, a known fact disturbing the industry.

The low prices being offered by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) often irritates farmers who would rather smuggle their cocoa beans into neighbouring French West African countries to sell, therefore making it difficult for farmers in Ghana who sell their produce here to make profit per the account of affected cocoa farmers.

These challenges, mentioned above, have resulted in a significant decline in cocoa production, leading to the shortage of cocoa beans in Ghana.

The situation, is further complicated by the fact that Ghana’s cocoa industry is heavily reliant on exports, with over 80% of its cocoa beans being shipped abroad in its raw form

Consequently, Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited has appealed to government to adopt pragmatic measures required to make available cocoa beans for processing companies to stay in business.

Currently, part of the production lines of the company, has been shut down following the shortage of cocoa beans on the Ghanaian market.

Alfred Ampah, Plant Manager of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, who briefed Western Regional Minister about this challenge said government ought to do something about the shortage of cocoa beans in the country.

The General Manager of the company, Michael Arhin Darlington, also expressed disquiet about the unfortunate development while appealing to the Minister to intervene in resolving the long-standing industry challenge hampering operations and production of cocoa processing factories.

In response, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson said the Agric Minister would work assiduously with stakeholders to address the problem.

He also assured the company of his commitment to collaborate effectively with stakeholders to fix the deplorable state of the road linking the factory to other companies and adjoining communities.

With improved supply of cocoa beans, the company, the Minister hopes, could expand its operations and ultimately create more jobs for unemployed Ghanaians.

By Ebenezer Atiemo

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