Government is targeting a significant scale-up in shea nut production to 400,000 metric tonnes annually, with an estimated market value of $640 million.
The forms part of the broader 24-hour economy policy aimed at enhancing productivity across key sectors.
To achieve this, the government plans to invest in modern processing infrastructure, mechanized harvesting systems, cold storage facilities, and other critical interventions to strengthen the shea value chain.
Currently, Ghana produces between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually, generating approximately $118 million. However, only 40% of the available shea nut resource is recovered, leaving considerable untapped potential.
Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, believes the implementation of the 24-hour economy policy and key interventions will significantly improve extraction rates and unlock greater value for the sector.
In 2023, Ghana was ranked as the top global exporter of shea butter and currently producing an estimated capacity of between 130,000 to 150, 000 metric tonnes of shea nut annually. This is valued at some $118 million. However as we know and the story was earlier told, we are only able to recover 40% of these nuts. That means if we put in more effort to recover more of this nuts, we will be able to significantly double, multiply these gains that we get from the shea nuts. However with the introduction of the 24 hour economy policy, we are setting a new national ambition.
“By investing in modern processing facilities, mechanized harvesting, cold storage and all season logistics, we are confident Ghana can increase the shea nut production to 400,000 metric tonnes annually valued at some $640 million. This is not just a projection. This is a practical possibility,” he said at the official press launch of the 2025 World Shea Expo on July 9, 2025.
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