You may be aware that the cashew nut is the softest and offers many health benefits. And Ghana is the world’s leading exporter of cashew nuts, ranking 14th overall. The story of Ghana’s cashew industry is not just about numbers; it’s about the thousands of farmers like Kwamli who have found a new lease on life through this resilient crop. By 2022, Ghana had cultivated approximately 234,171 hectares of cashew, yielding around 200,000 metric tonnes for the 2022–2023 season. Although it faces some problems, its increasing production is still aiming to shape the future with the help of new investors.

1. One ounce (28 grams) of unroasted, unsalted cashews is a nutrient-rich snack, providing 157 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 12 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

2. Alongside 9 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fiber, cashews offer substantial daily values of essential minerals and vitamins: 69% DV for copper, 20% DV for magnesium and manganese, 15% DV for zinc, 13% DV for phosphorus, and 11% DV for iron. 

3. Additionally, they provide 10% DV for selenium and thiamine (Vitamin B1), 8% DV for vitamin K, and 7% DV for vitamin B6. These nutrients collectively support heart health, energy production, and immune function, making cashews an excellent addition to a balanced diet. 

4. Not only does the cashew nut serve as a food source, but it also finds application in various industries. The cashew shell yields derivatives used in applications such as lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and even armaments production during World War II. 

4. The global demand for cashews is rising due to their health benefits and versatility. Ghana’s position as a significant exporter provides opportunities for profit. 

Kwamli is a farmer from the Brong Ahafo Region. For generations, his family had cultivated various crops, but the soil was often unyielding. In 2017, Kwamli decided to plant cashew trees on a small plot of his land, following in the footsteps of fellow farmers who had found success. The initial years were tough; cashew trees take one to two years to begin fruiting. Kwamli, on the other hand, was patient, tending to his trees with the same care and hope that his ancestors had shown the land.

By 2021, Kwame’s patience bore fruit. His small farm contributed to the 600 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts that year, a substantial increase from 15 metric tonnes in 2017. The cashew trees on his property, now part of the 223 hectares of land under cultivation across the country, had begun to transform his life. 

In 2017, not only was Kwamli’s farm small, but the Ghanaian market for cashew nuts was also small. In 2017, Ghana produced 95,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts (RCN). By 2021, the estimated production was expected to rise to 160,000 metric tonnes. During the same period, the cashew cultivation area expanded from 98,000 hectares to 223,020 hectares, with a sharp increase recorded between 2020 and 2021 (over 103,020 hectares). The increased income allowed Kwame to send his children to school, invest in better farming equipment, and even hire a few neighbors to help during the harvest season.

The international market has recognized the quality of Ghanaian cashews, with prices ranging from US$1,200 to US$1,350 per ton for raw nuts and US$2.65 to US$2.75 per pound for processed kernels. In 2023, the West African cashew harvest increased to 3 million metric tonnes, with Ghana making a significant contribution. 

However, 2024 marked a shift in focus. No longer just exporting raw nuts, the country began to invest heavily in processing, producing around 14,500 metric tonnes of processed cashew kernels. This move towards value addition promised better returns and more sustainable growth for farmers like Kwamli.

They have recently encountered certain challenges, and while they hope to see an annual increase in cashew nut production, many farmers are deeply apprehensive about these challenges.

1. As of 2024, cashew farmers in Ghana continue to face significant disease challenges in their orchards. The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex causes anthracnose, which damages leaves and induces gummosis in stems and twigs. 

2. Lasiodiplodia theobromae causes gummosis of stems and twigs, which leads to blight and die-back, and Pestalotia sp. causes Pestalotia leaf spot. Additionally, powdery mildew, Curvularia lunata, and red rust (Cephaleuros sp.) are ongoing concerns. 

3. Furthermore, the overuse of agrochemicals by farmers, which negatively impacts crop quality and the environment, presents an additional challenge. 

4. Many local processors lack the funds to operate and upgrade their plants. 

5. Poor transit infrastructure prevents local processors from obtaining raw cashew nuts from farmers.

1. Effective management practices are essential to combating these diseases and ensuring healthy cashew production in the region. Ensuring consistent, high-quality RCNs is crucial for competitiveness in today’s global market. 

2. Farmers now seek to leverage the research field, which provides them with the solution they need. 

3. They aim to enhance their processing techniques to improve both efficiency and quality. 

4. Farmers are looking for improved methods to provide cashew planting materials, such as high-yield, disease-tolerant varieties. 

5. They also seek proper education on merging techniques as well as new and innovative methods that will add value.

Ghana is a significant producer of raw cashews, producing approximately 85,000 metric tonnes annually, which accounts for around 1% of the world’s total. The trees thrive in seven of Ghana’s ten regions, particularly in the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions. They thrive in poor, semi-arid, and transitional areas with wet and dry seasons and annual rainfall. Cashew trees take 1-2 years to fruit but can produce high-value products. The three main cashew products traded internationally are raw nuts, cashew kernels, and cashew nutshell liquid. Local producers export over 95% of their cashews, and the remaining nuts are sold to local processors for export.

Unquestionably, Ghana is an ideal location for investing in the cashew sector, given the substantial demand for cashew. However, investors must address a few minor issues to create their own success story. We promise not to worry if you’re still convinced this is a profitable venture.

Ghana’s climate is suitable for cashew cultivation. Proper soil management and irrigation enhance yields. In the coming years, Ghana’s cashew value chain is expected to generate increased revenue, create employment opportunities, and empower women farmers. Since cashew cultivation directly employs around 300,000 farmers in Ghana and indirectly supports around 200,000 other jobs in roles such as buying agents, dealers, transporters, and retailers.

A one-hectare cashew plantation has a net present value of GH¢260.82 ($343.16) when discounted at a rate of 25%. The benefit-cost ratio is 1.13, and the internal rate of return is 43.85%. African raw cashew nut production has been increasing at a rate of about 7-8% annually over the last fifteen years, indicating a positive trend. Besides India and the United States, many other countries, including China, the Netherlands, Germany, and Vietnam, import a great amount of Ghanaian nuts each year. 

There is potential for new agricultural expansion. Expand beyond raw cashew nuts to produce a range of value-added products such as cashew kernels, cashew nut butter, cashew milk, and cashew-based snacks. 

1. Develop processes to utilize by-products like cashew apple juice, jams, dried fruit snacks, vinegar, and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) for industrial and consumer applications.
2. Additionally, the Agro-Tourism and Visitor Center may receive a new addition in the future. Offer guided tours of cashew orchards and processing facilities to educate visitors on the cashew production process, from farm to table. 
3. Highlight sustainable farming practices and the importance of the cashew industry to the local economy. Create hands-on activities for visitors, such as planting cashew trees, participating in harvests, and learning to process cashew nuts. Set up tasting stations where visitors can sample various cashew products. 
4. Establish a retail store selling locally produced cashew products and related souvenirs. This will also open up a new field in the tourism industry, and Ghana’s cultural diversity will attract tourists in other sectors as well.

Ghana’s cashew industry has great potential to boost the country’s economy and improve farmers’ lives. The story of farmers like Kwamli illustrates the transformative potential of the cashew industry, offering hope and prosperity for future generations. It can be said that it is already an established field; it just needs strategic investments and new innovations, which will add some spice for Ghana to become the largest exporter among the five. With better processing facilities, fair pricing, and stronger support from the government and private sector, the industry can grow even more.