Ghana’s cocoa sector has rebounded with a 3.4% growth in Q1 2025, marking its first expansion since Q2 2023. This is according to data released by the Ghana Statistical Service.
The recovery ends a six-quarter slump that had raised concerns across the agricultural and export value chains.
The turnaround forms part of a broader rebound in the agriculture sector, which grew by 6.6% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 2.4% in the same period last year.
The Ghanaian economy as a whole grew by 5.3% in Q1 2025, driven by strong performances in fishing (16.4%), ICT (13.1%), and manufacturing (6.6%).
While the cocoa sector’s 3.4% growth is modest, industry watchers view it as a critical sign of recovery, especially as global demand begins to stabilize.
Before this turnaround, the cocoa sub-sector experienced a period of steep and sustained contraction. In 2023, growth was relatively flat, with Q1 recording -0.1%, a slight recovery to 1.2% in Q2, followed by -0.4% in Q3 and -1.1% in Q4.
The situation worsened significantly in 2024, with the sector contracting sharply by -20.2% in Q1, -26.0% in both Q2 and Q3, and -21.4% in Q4, reflecting one of the most prolonged and severe declines in recent years.
Analysts say maintaining this momentum will require targeted support, especially in input distribution, disease control, and pricing policies.
SOURCE: Citinewsroom
