Fruit producers, Processors, Exporters, representatives from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Development partners from the dried fruit sector convened at the La Palm Royal Beach to deliberate on strategies to unearth the full potential of the sector.
The high-level meeting was under the Ghana Dried Fruits project, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) with local coordination by Knox Consulting Limited to bring sector actors together to address bottlenecks and bring holistic solutions to build a resilient export fruit sector.
The workshop was a sequel to many successful ones organised to foster collaboration among sector actors.
The theme for the workshop; “Export Demand for Processed Fruits and Raw Material Supply” seeks to provide the platform for stakeholders to strategise on how Ghana’s raw material supply chain for fruits can be better organised to meet the growing export demand of the European Union (EU) and other high-end markets.
The workshop provided opportunities for individuals to share experiences and best practices, as well as explore strategies to enhance competitiveness along the value chain.
The Ministry commended private partners that adopt sustainable practices and inclusive models to drive the country towards its development agenda.
The CBI Program Manager, Femke Dekker, in her opening remarks noted that the aim of the project is to foster sustainable growth within Ghana’s processed fruits and vegetables industry with a particular focus on the dried fruits sector.
She emphasised that ensuring the sector remains attractive and rewarding for the next generation is essential for long-term development.
“By bringing key actors together, “we aim to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive value chain that meets buyer expectations and strengthens the connection between Ghana and international markets,” she stated.
The Managing Partner, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah, represented Knox Consulting Limited, the National Coordinator of the CBI Dried Fruits Project, noted that “the workshop represents a significant step towards positioning Ghana as a reliable supplier of quality raw materials that meet EU standards and other global markets.
Mrs. Assibey-Yeboah underscored the importance of empowering local enterprises to thrive in the export market, highlighting that doing so will strengthen collaboration among sector actors, create opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups, as well as enable women to take leadership roles in making Ghana a leading source of quality raw materials.”
Dr. Solomon Gyan-Ansah, the Director of the Crop Services Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stated that Ghana could significantly benefit from the rising global demand for dried and processed fruits.
Ghana has a strong competitive edge due to its favorable growing conditions, high-quality fruit varieties, reliable supply chains, and supportive policies and regulations.
In a presentation by the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, it was stated that GEPA has commenced the Ghana Trade House initiative to promote made-in-Ghana processed goods abroad.
According to Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, his outfit has established physical trade houses abroad to promote market access, develop a business climate, enhance product visibility, and facilitate the economic integration of Ghanaian commodities.
“The goal is to boost non-traditional exports, foster to boost non-traditional exports, foster economic integration, and promote made in Ghana goods,” he added.
The workshop brought together the Ghanaian delegation who participated in the Anuga 2025 Conference held in Germany to share their experiences with value chain actors in the fruit sector.
Source: agrictoday.com
