Import volume of chocolate products in Ghana 2010-2021

Ghana registered an import volume of chocolate products amounting to 4,655 metric tons in 2021, a significant increase from the previous year. Moreover, in comparison to chocolate products exported from Ghana in 2021, the said import volume was higher. Overall, the country produces high volumes of cocoa beans every year.

In 2021, Ghana registered an import volume of chocolate products amounting to almost 4,700 metric tons. This was a considerable increase from the previous year when the value reached around 2,900 metric tons. In fact, the country produces high quantities of cocoa beans every year, placing it among the top producers in the world.

Chocolate imports are currently in the lead against exports

Since 2010, imports have generally dominated Ghana’s trade in chocolate products compared to exports. From that year onwards, the country has exported relatively lower volumes of chocolate products. However, between 2017 and 2019, Ghana exported higher amounts ranging from 12,000 to 17,000 metric tons. Although the said three-year peak in exports was much higher than the yearly imports from 2010 to 2021, the chocolate-product net trade has mainly favored imports since 2010.

Chocolate product exports vis-à-vis cocoa bean production

Cocoa is the main raw material used to produce chocolates. As the second-leading cocoa-producing country in the world, one would expect Ghana to dominate global markets in chocolate and chocolate product processing and exports. However, European and North American countries are the top chocolate exporters globally. Domestic market taxation and foreign exchange revenue, among other factors, have often been attributed to the imbalance between high cocoa bean production and chocolate manufacturing and export. However, based on factors such as high annual cocoa bean production in Ghana in the face of developing capacities in cocoa processing, the country can explore the future of chocolate product production and export positively.