The Ghana EXIM Bank, in collaboration with the Office of the President under the Presidential Initiative on Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) and the Coconut Federation Ghana, has embarked on a strategic field inspection of coconut farms in the Bono Region—barely two months after the free distribution of over 40,000 elite, disease-resistant coconut seedlings to farmers.
This initiative, fully financed by the Ghana EXIM Bank, is part of the President’s broader programme to cultivate 11 million hybrid coconut seedlings across 11 regions, reinforcing Ghana’s position as Africa’s leading coconut producer and an emerging global supplier.
The strong leadership of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, the CEO and Board of Ghana EXIM Bank, and the Office of PIAA continues to drive this ambitious coconut expansion agenda.
As the national institution mandated to develop, support, and finance Ghana’s export sector, Ghana EXIM Bank has prioritized coconut as a strategic export commodity capable of generating significant foreign exchange and creating thousands of jobs.
Global demand continues to soar for:
- Coconut water – valued at USD 5.73 billion, growing at 150% monthly,
- Coconut meat – USD 5.19 billion,
- Coconut shell nut – USD 0.95 billion,
- Coir products – USD 0.64 billion.
Ghana is already gaining international attention:
- In 2021, Ghana exported 41,326,637 kg of coconuts worth USD 11.44 million.
- Ghana is now the 9th largest exporter of desiccated coconut, valued at USD 22 million (2022).
- The global coconut export market is valued at USD 14.19 billion (2023).
Fruit Logistica 2025 confirms surging demand for Ghanaian coconuts
At Fruit Logistica 2025 in Berlin, one of the world’s largest fresh produce exhibitions, buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia made strong requests for:
- Ghanaian desiccated coconuts,
- Fresh nuts,
- Coconut water, and
- Coconut-based raw materials.
This heightened demand underscores the urgent need to expand Ghana’s coconut acreage from the current 90,000 hectares to 108,000 hectares and boost annual production from 600,000 metric tons to 720,000 metric tons. According to global buyers at the fair, Ghanaian coconuts are increasingly preferred for their high oil content, sweetness, and consistent quality—a competitive advantage that Ghana EXIM Bank intends to leverage to increase exports.
This initiative has supported farmers with over 10,000 elite, disease-resistant seedlings and is expected to create 10,000–20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Field inspection indicates strong farmer commitment
During inspections across over 50 farms in Berekum West District, Berekum East Municipality, and Jaman South, the team observed healthy crop establishment and strong farmer engagement.
The Vice President of the Coconut Federation, Kwaku Boateng, expressed satisfaction:
“Farmers are giving impressive attention to the seedlings. This visit allows us to gather their concerns and provide technical support, ensuring the seedlings thrive. The coconut value chain has the potential to create thousands of jobs—directly and indirectly—especially for rural youth and women. With this initiative led by the President, Ghana is on track to becoming a global coconut hub.”
Farmers also expressed deep gratitude for the government’s intervention.
One farmer, Joseph Korang, shared emotionally:
“I have the land, but the cost of seedlings on the market is high. Receiving these seedlings freely was a huge relief. I applaud President John Dramani Mahama, the Ghana EXIM Bank, and the Coconut Federation for thinking about farmers like us.”
Many farmers have called for additional seedlings in the next planting season to further expand their farms and contribute to the national export agenda.
Coconut cultivation now thrives in 11 of Ghana’s 16 regions, involving thousands of farmers, processors, exporters, and micro-entrepreneurs. The Ghana EXIM Bank views coconut as a transformational export commodity capable of:
- Increasing foreign exchange earnings,
- Driving rural industrialization,
- Creating sustainable jobs, and
- Supporting Ghana’s global trade competitiveness.
The successful field tour reaffirms the collective commitment of the President, the Chief of Staff, the CEO and Board of EXIM Bank, PIAA, and the Coconut Federation to scale up production, drive exports, and secure Ghana’s place on the global coconut map.
