Accra, Ghana — July 9, 2026 In a strategic pivot for the Ghanaian cocoa industry, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer has signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia for the export of semi-finished cocoa products. This move marks an effort to diversify Ghana’s cocoa export markets and enhance the value addition of its cocoa products.
The agreements, inked on July 7, 2026, encompass cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake, and cocoa powder, though the specific values and volumes of the deals have not been disclosed. This strategic shift is part of Ghana’s ambition to process at least 50% of its cocoa domestically, in contrast to the previous practice of exporting raw beans.
The global cocoa market is projected to reach $26. 2 billion by 2035, and Ghana’s strategic partnership with Gulf countries aligns with this growing market potential. Cocoa Marketing Company Ghana Limited (CMC) has secured offtake commitments, opening a new route for Africa’s second-largest cocoa producer to access Gulf markets.
The move is expected to provide Ghana with a new revenue stream, reducing its reliance on traditional European markets.
Furthermore, it aligns with Dubai’s ambition to become a global trade hub for cocoa and other commodities, with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) recently launching a Cacao Centre to tap into the global cocoa market.
The agreements also support Ghana’s plan to reposition its cocoa industry from a raw commodity supplier to a processor of higher-value exports, aiming to improve factory utilization, widen the buyer base, and retain more earnings from the global chocolate value chain.
As the global cocoa market continues to grow, Ghana’s strategic diversification of its export markets could serve as a model for other cocoa-producing countries in Africa, aiming to maximize the value of their exports and reduce dependence on a single market.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Olamilekan Okebiorun
