The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has moved to reassure international buyers and stakeholders in the global cashew market that Ghana’s raw cashew nut (RCN) quality for the 2025/2026 trading season remains robust and competitive, dispelling recent concerns about the produce’s standards. The assurance was delivered by the authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, at the 12th World Cashew Conference held in Dubai, a key global gathering of traders, processors, investors and industry leaders.
Opening the trading season, Dr. Okrah emphasised that Ghana’s cashew production continues to meet high international benchmarks, both in terms of quantity and quality. Addressing attendees at the conference, he dismissed earlier claims suggesting a decline in cashew quality, affirming that “we expect a strong outturn with high Kernel Outturn Ratio (KOR) this year, as has been the case over many years.” The KOR a critical metric used by buyers to gauge the proportion of edible kernels from raw cashew nuts is widely regarded as a key indicator of export quality.
Dr. Okrah took the opportunity to encourage global buyers and exporters to engage only with actors who are registered and licensed under the TCDA’s regulatory framework. He noted that adherence to formal registration and licensing protocols not only ensures traceability across the supply chain but also enables the authority to resolve operational challenges and contractual disputes more effectively. By doing so, the TCDA aims to reinforce confidence in Ghana’s cashew industry as it competes on the world stage.
Under Dr. Okrah’s leadership, the TCDA has implemented a series of strategic reforms designed to enhance the sustainability, transparency and global competitiveness of Ghana’s cashew value chain. Central to these reforms has been an extensive stakeholder engagement process that culminated in the joint announcement and validation of the official cashew price for the season. This collaborative process brought together farmers, traders, exporters, processors, and other value chain participants to determine a pricing framework that reflects market realities while protecting the interests of producers and buyers alike.
In line with these efforts, the TCDA has also taken significant steps to strengthen regulatory compliance and enforcement within the sector. The authority recently commissioned its first cohort of Compliance and Enforcement Officers, who have been tasked with partnering with security agencies and local district assemblies to ensure adherence to industry standards. Their mandate includes tackling illegal trading practices, preventing smuggling, and protecting both farmers and licensed operators from unfair market conduct. Dr. Okrah noted that this initiative marks an important milestone in upholding market discipline and safeguarding investor confidence in the cashew industry.
The backdrop to these assurances is a season of rising optimism around Ghana’s cashew output. While production in previous years has seen fluctuations with about 161,000 tonnes recorded in the 2024 harvest and a notable increase to roughly 255,000 tonnes in the 2025 season the current outlook suggests there will be ample raw material to support both export demand and expanded processing ambitions at home. This has enabled local processors to set ambitious targets to increase their processing capacity by as much as 85,000 metric tonnes in 2026, a move that is expected to boost local value addition, job creation and farmer incomes.
These developments are particularly significant as Ghana works to strengthen its position in the global cashew market. With rising production and improved quality measures, the country is better placed to meet the expectations of international buyers who are increasingly seeking reliable, high-standard raw cashew supplies. Moreover, the emphasis on traceability and compliance aligns with broader global trends demanding transparency and accountability in agricultural commodity chains.
For farmers and industry stakeholders, the TCDA’s assurances offer renewed confidence. By reinforcing quality standards, broadening engagement with the global buyer community, and enhancing regulatory oversight, the authority aims to ensure that Ghana’s cashew sector not only sustains its existing export markets but also explores new opportunities amid evolving international demand.
As the 2026 trading season unfolds, the combined focus on quality, compliance and value addition reflects a concerted effort by the TCDA and its partners to build a resilient and globally competitive cashew industry that benefits all actors from smallholder producers to international buyers.