Ghana has secured new export agreements to supply semi-finished cocoa products to buyers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) finalized these deals on July 7, 2026, marking a significant move for the nation's cocoa industry.
These agreements aim to expand Ghana's market for processed cocoa items like cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake, and cocoa powder. The deals will help the country reduce its dependence on exporting raw cocoa beans. Dr. Wisdom Dogbey, Managing Director of CMC, led the trade engagements that secured these arrangements.
This initiative fits into Ghana's broader economic strategy to process at least 50% of its cocoa locally before export. It comes as the country's vital cocoa sector faces challenges like volatile international prices and crop diseases. The cocoa industry contributes about 15% of Ghana's total export earnings, with cocoa paste generating US$789.3 million in 2025.
The CMC states these off-take agreements will diversify Ghana's export markets and strengthen its role in the global cocoa value chain. The company did not disclose the financial value of the agreements or the specific volumes of products to be supplied. However, the deals are expected to deepen Ghana's presence in the Gulf market.
These developments will likely reinforce Ghana's position as a key player in the global cocoa market. Decision-makers will observe how these deals impact farmer incomes and the growth of local processing facilities. The agreements could also encourage further investment in Ghana's cocoa value addition infrastructure.
The global cocoa market is projected to grow from an estimated US$16.6 billion in 2025 to US$26.2 billion by 2035. The premium chocolate market is also expected to expand to US$40.6 billion by 2030. These agreements tap into this growing demand.
For the UAE, these partnerships support Dubai's ambition to become a global hub for cocoa trading and processing. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has recently established a Cacao Centre to capitalize on rising demand. The UAE imported US$17.3 million worth of raw cocoa beans and US$65.3 million worth of finished cocoa products in 2023.
The new agreements will strengthen Dubai's access to high-quality West African cocoa. They will also provide Ghana with a growing market for its value-added cocoa products. This mutually beneficial arrangement could lead to increased trade between the regions.