2025 Trade Data Reveals Ghana’s Export Boomed in Q2
Ghana’s export performance gained significant momentum in the second half of 2025, with trade activity accelerating towards the end of the year and December emerging as the strongest month, according to the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report.
The country recorded exports worth GH¢401.5 billion against imports of GH¢253.2 billion, resulting in a record trade surplus of GH¢148.3 billion. The surplus was more than three times the GH¢44.7 billion recorded in 2024, reflecting a marked improvement in Ghana’s external trade position.
Monthly data shows exports exceeded imports throughout the year, but the gap widened considerably during the second half. The monthly trade surplus increased from GH¢5.6 billion in June to GH¢25.8 billion in December, signalling stronger export activity in the closing months of the year.
December recorded the highest level of international trade in 2025, with total trade reaching GH¢66.1 billion. Export earnings for the month stood at GH¢46.0 billion, the highest monthly export value recorded during the year.
Although the GSS report does not attribute the December surge solely to seasonal factors, the strong performance coincided with the festive period, when commercial activity, consumer demand and the movement of goods typically increase.
The report also shows that Ghana’s export growth continued to be driven by a narrow range of commodities. Gold, cocoa beans and cocoa products, together with mineral fuels and oils, generated GH¢344.8 billion in export earnings, representing 85.9 percent of total exports in 2025.
Gold remained the country’s largest export, earning GH¢253.3 billion. Cocoa beans and cocoa products contributed GH¢56.2 billion, while mineral fuels and oils generated GH¢35.3 billion, underscoring the continued importance of Ghana’s traditional export sectors.
While strong commodity exports helped deliver the record trade surplus, the data also highlights Ghana’s heavy dependence on a few products. This concentration leaves export performance vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices, production levels and external demand.
The report further indicates that Ghana expanded its global trading network during the year, importing goods from 216 countries, up from 211 in 2024, while export destinations increased from 155 to 163 countries. The second-half acceleration in exports, particularly the strong December performance, suggests an emerging trade pattern that could support better planning for production, financing and logistics if sustained. However, the report emphasises that broadening the export base beyond gold, cocoa and petroleum products will be essential to ensuring more resilient and sustainable export growth.
