Ghana’s cocoa export earnings have seen a sharp rise in the first half of 2025, nearly tripling compared to the same period in 2024. The earnings in the first half of 2025 exceed total cocoa export earnings in the whole of 2024.
According to official data from the Bank of Ghana, the country earned $2.17 billion from cocoa exports between January and June 2025, up from $762.5 million in the first half of 2024. These feats have contributed to an increase in Ghana’s total earnings as well as its trade balance. As of June 2025, Ghana’s trade balance had increased more than threefold compared to the same time last year.
But behind this impressive growth lies a growing storm of concern about the sustainability of cocoa production in the country.
In an interview with Reuters, Ghana’s cocoa regulator, COCOBOD, signaled that the country could face a moderate decline in cocoa output this season. The warning follows reports from farmer groups about worsening conditions in key cocoa-growing districts.
The primary culprit? Climate change. Persistent rainfall, cooler-than-usual temperatures, and insufficient sunlight have created a perfect environment for fungal infections, including black pod disease, one of the most devastating threats to cocoa trees. The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association said the current weather pattern has severely hampered yields and raised fears of long-term damage to cocoa farms.
“We visited 72 cocoa-growing districts and saw visible signs of fungal infections on cocoa trees,” said Nana Oboadie Bonsu, president of the association. “If not addressed, this could cripple farmer incomes and disrupt the future of cocoa production in Ghana.”
COCOBOD has responded, saying they are intensifying mass spraying and disease control efforts and aim to complete nationwide fungicide distribution before the peak harvest season. Still, officials admit that “preliminary assessments suggest production may see a moderate decline compared to earlier projections.” The 2024/2025 season had targeted 650,000 metric tons, a figure that is now likely to be missed.