Editorial: NTE increases due to value addition

According to latest data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) 2025 report, the nation’s top-10 Non-Traditional Export (NTE) products racked up US$3.28billion last year.

This represents a 53% increase over the US$2.15billion recorded in 2024. These 10 products account for 65.48% of total NTE earnings, with each product bringing in an average of US$327.86million.

At the heart of this export explosion is a triumphant performance by the cocoa value chain. No longer content with exporting beans alone, Ghana’s processing sector dominated the 2025 rankings.

Cocoa Paste generated US$789.3million – a 70.97% jump from the previous year. The most explosive growth was seen in Cocoa Butter, which skyrocketed by 120.18% to reach US$635.7million. Cocoa Powder followed suit, surging 112.97% to hit                                  US$233.8million.

Shea Nuts (karite nuts) recorded a remarkable 116.51% growth, nearly doubling its footprint to US$177.8million. Its derivative, Shea Oil, added another US$174.3million to the national coffers, up 15.43%, as international cosmetic and pharmaceutical firms scramble for natural organic ingredients.

Cashew Nuts maintained their steady ascent, contributing US$297.6million – a 10.15% increase – underlining Ghana’s position as a reliable global supplier amid fluctuating market conditions.

The 2025 report’s overarching narrative is one of structural transformation. The shift toward higher-value, processed products – particularly within the cocoa and shea sectors -indicates that Ghana is successfully insulating its economy against the volatility of raw commodity prices.

The report also identified the Netherlands as Ghana’s top destination for non-traditional exports in 2025, with imports rising sharply from US$477.4million in 2024 to US$831.1million in 2025.

Additionally, exports of aluminium plates, sheets and coils recorded notable growth, supported by the expansion of Ghana’s downstream aluminium industry. Firms such as Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) contributed to the increase by producing products that meet international standards, including those required in European markets.

The NTE sector has maintained steady progress. A ten-year trend analysis shows that Ghana’s non-traditional exports expanded at an average annual growth rate of 7.53% between 2016 and 2025, reinforcing the sector’s importance in diversifying the country’s export base.

Ghana’s drive to expand industrial capacity and move up the value chain is paying off!

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