Ghana warns against illegal raw cashew exports amid industry concerns 

GHANA – The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has issued a stern warning to individuals and companies exporting raw cashew nuts without proper registration or licenses, calling the practice illegal and detrimental to Ghana’s agricultural trade. 

The warning follows a rise in unregulated shipments, which officials say threaten local industry stability and reduce national revenue.  

Ghana is the world’s third-largest exporter of raw cashews, producing 180,000 metric tons annually. However, 90 percent of these nuts are shipped abroad unprocessed, limiting the country’s ability to maximize profits. 

The Africa Cashew Alliance estimates that Ghana earns US$300 million annually from raw cashew exports. However, industry analysts argue that increased investment in local processing could significantly boost this figure. 

“Exporting raw nuts is like selling gold as dust,” one industry expert told News Ghana. “Without proper processing, Ghana loses jobs, tax revenue, and global market influence.” 

Concerns over foreign traders disrupting the market have further fueled calls for stricter regulation.  

In January 2025, the Cashew Traders and Exporters Association of Ghana accused unauthorized foreign buyers of inflating purchase prices—reportedly surpassing GH₵20 per kilogram, well above the official GH₵15 rate. 

Association spokesperson Kwabena Owusu described the situation as “economic sabotage,” stating that these traders exploit weak domestic processing capacity. 

“When locals can’t add value, they’re forced to sell raw nuts at any price,” he said. “Foreigners swoop in, disrupt pricing, and leave our exporters struggling.” 

Ghana has previously attempted to regulate raw cashew exports. In 2016, the government briefly banned overseas sales of unprocessed nuts to promote domestic value addition.  

However, the policy was swiftly reversed following resistance from farmers and traders who depend on immediate cash flow. 

While countries like Ivory Coast and Tanzania have expanded cashew processing facilities, Ghana’s rate remains below 10 percent. Many factories operate below capacity due to high costs, erratic power supply, and limited financing. 

“As long as these challenges persist, illegal exports and price instability will continue to harm the sector,” a Kumasi-based processor told NewsGhana. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.