Gov’t moves to regulate Raw Shea nuts exports to aid value addition – Dr Otokunor

The Government of Ghana is taking steps to regulate the export of raw shea nuts as part of a broader strategy to promote local processing and value addition.

At the press launch of the World Shea Expo in Accra, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, at the Office of the President, announced raw shea exports will be subject to stricter controls to ensure domestic processors have reliable access to raw materials. The goal, he said, is to transform Ghana from a supplier of raw commodities to a competitive producer of finished shea products.

“This is a policy shift towards value addition and industrial growth,” Dr. Otokunor explained. “It’s about strengthening the sector for local markets.”

The move aligns with measures introduced by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) in May 2025, which require exporters of raw shea, cashew, and rubber to obtain official export permits. That policy marked the beginning of a national framework to manage raw crop exports more strategically and prioritize local industry needs.

To support this shift, government is also investing in processing infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of the Buipe Shea Factory, which is expected to process up to 180,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually.

Stakeholders are being encouraged to view the upcoming controls not as a ban, but as part of a structured effort to grow the domestic shea economy and increase Ghana’s earnings from value-added exports.

LINK: https://3news.com/business/govt-moves-to-regulate-raw-shea-nuts-exports-to-aid-value-addition-dr-otokunor