Main Recommendations from the Cashew Round Table

The Cashew Round Table held on 14 September 2026 concluded that Ghana’s cashew sector requires coordinated and urgent measures to build a more competitive, sustainable, and profitable value chain.

1. Establish a Single National Cashew Policy – Existing cashew policies are fragmented across different government institutions. The recommendation is to harmonize them into one National Cashew Policy, with the TCDA taking the lead.
2. Increase National Cashew Production – Increase production from approximately 260,000 MT to 400,000 MT, supported by the rehabilitation of old farms, establishment of new farms, and distribution of elite seedlings.
3. Urgently Address Pests and Diseases – Immediate measures should be taken to control current pest and disease attacks to prevent significant crop losses in the coming seasons.
4. Prioritize Local Processing and Value Addition – Ghana should move away from excessive dependence on raw cashew nut exports and create conditions that allow local processing factories to operate at higher capacity and remain operational, thereby protecting employment and retaining more value within the country.
5. Improve Electricity Supply to Processing Factories – Particular attention should be given to factories located in rural areas, including support with transformers and other infrastructure required for reliable operations.
6. Improve Raw Cashew Nut Quality – Quality must begin at farm level. Producers should follow the required quality protocols and ensure that good-quality nuts are supplied to the market.
7. Respect Seasonal Prices Established by the Regulator – Industry stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to work with the seasonal prices announced by the regulator to ensure fair prices for producers.
8. Strengthen the Cashew Council Ghana (CCG) – The TCDA committed to supporting a stronger CCG so that the industry can become better coordinated and speak with one voice.
9. Improve Access to Long-Term Financing / Patient Capital – Financing was identified as a major challenge. Government support is recommended to facilitate access to patient capital suitable for the long-term needs of the cashew industry.
10. Redefine TCDP Funds from Grants to Soft Loans – The Round Table proposed that, through the recommendation of the TCDA, Tree Crop Diversification Project funds be restructured from grants into soft loans for the sector.
11. Provide Financing for Equipment and Working Capital – Financial support should enable processors to invest in equipment, secure sufficient working capital, and maximize existing processing capacity.
12. Strengthen Regulation and Compliance Across the Value Chain – Existing laws and regulations should be effectively implemented to improve compliance, ensure fair prices, maintain product quality, and increase overall sector income.
13. Respect Trade Agreements – Industry players committed to honoring commercial agreements in order to strengthen trust and credibility within Ghana’s cashew industry

Strategic Summary
The Round Table recommendations can be consolidated into five strategic pillars
Policy & Regulation → Production → Local Processing & Value Addition → Financing → Institutional Strengthening

The overall objective is to increase Ghana’s cashew production to 400,000 MT, maximize domestic processing capacity, improve access to equipment and working capital, ensure reliable electricity and essential infrastructure, and establish a properly regulated and profitable cashew sector.