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.
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