Ghana’s cocoa industry has shown signs of revival with a 3.4% growth in the first quarter of 2025 its first expansion since the second quarter of 2023. This was revealed by data from the Ghana Statistical Service.
The rebound puts an end to six consecutive quarters of contraction, which had stirred concern across the agricultural sector and export value chains.
This turnaround is part of a broader agricultural resurgence, with the sector recording 6.6% growth in Q1 2025, compared to 2.4% in the same period last year.
The national economy grew by 5.3% in the first quarter, buoyed by key contributions from fishing (16.4%), ICT (13.1%), and manufacturing (6.6%). While cocoa’s 3.4% growth may appear modest, many see it as a crucial sign of recovery, especially as global market demand begins to stabilise.
Prior to this rebound, the cocoa sub-sector suffered a sustained downturn. In 2023, the sector’s quarterly growth fluctuated registering -0.1% in Q1, recovering slightly to 1.2% in Q2, then falling to -0.4% in Q3 and -1.1% in Q4.
The situation deteriorated further in 2024, with a sharp contraction of -20.2% in Q1, followed by -26.0% in both Q2 and Q3, and -21.4% in Q4 making it one of the steepest and longest declines the sector has faced in recent times.
Experts caution that sustaining this recovery will require intentional support, particularly in the areas of input supply, disease management, and pricing policies that benefit farmers.
