Non-Traditional Exports Hit $5bn
Exporters in Ghana have been urged to sustain compliance, innovation and discipline following a record performance in the country’s non-traditional export sector, which crossed the US$5 billion mark for the first time in history.
The call was made at an Exporters’ Forum organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), which brought together exporters, regulators and stakeholders within the trade and logistics value chain to review progress and discuss strategies for sustaining growth in the sector.
Speaking at the forum, officials said the strong performance recorded in 2025 reflects the growing importance of exports in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda, particularly in generating foreign exchange and supporting national development.
Export earnings in the non-traditional export sector reached US$5.006 billion in 2025, representing a 30.7 per cent increase over the US$3.83 billion recorded in 2024. The milestone is described as one of the strongest performances by the sector in recent years.
Exporters were commended for their resilience and innovation, which contributed significantly to the record growth, as well as their role in expanding Ghana’s presence in global markets.
Officials from the Ghana Shippers’ Authority noted that they have intensified support for exporters through various interventions, including the deployment of officers to the ports to facilitate export processes and resolve operational challenges that could delay cargo movement.
The measures form part of broader efforts to improve trade facilitation, reduce bottlenecks and enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian products in international markets, in line with government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda.
A key highlight of the forum was the presentation of the 2025 Non-Traditional Exports Report by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), which confirmed that processed and semi-processed goods accounted for more than 83 per cent of total export earnings.
The report showed that cocoa derivatives such as cocoa butter, cocoa paste and cocoa powder remained the dominant export products, while agricultural commodities including cashew nuts, shea nuts, bananas and yams also recorded strong performance.
It further indicated that Europe remained Ghana’s largest export destination, with growing exports to Africa, North America and Asia, reflecting an expanding global market footprint.
The Forestry Commission also used the forum to educate exporters on timber export procedures and compliance requirements, stressing the importance of legality verification, documentation and sustainability standards in international trade.
Operations Manager at the Forestry Commission, Mr. Eric Abbeyquaye, emphasised that effective export management depends on strict adherence to regulations and strong collaboration among stakeholders.
Stakeholders at the forum expressed confidence that with continued compliance and strategic support, Ghana is well positioned to sustain its export growth and further strengthen its competitiveness in global trade markets.
