The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has reassured the global market of the quality of Ghana’s raw cashew nuts (RCN) for the 2026 trading season.

CEO of TCDA, Dr. Andrews Okrah, made the assurance during the 12th World Cashew Conference in Dubai, officially opening the 2025/2026 trading season and inviting international buyers to engage with Ghana’s cashew sector. The conference brought together traders, processors, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe.

Dr. Okrah dismissed previous claims that Ghanaian cashew is of poor quality, emphasizing that both production volume and quality remain robust. “The TCDA expects a strong outturn with a high Kernel Outturn Ratio (KOR) this year, as has been the case over many years,” he said.

He highlighted that Ghana operates a structured and traceable cashew supply chain, guided by a regulatory framework enforced by TCDA. Exporters and buyers were urged to transact only with registered and licensed actors, enabling the Authority to intervene effectively and resolve operational or contractual challenges.

TCDA has implemented strategic reforms to enhance transparency, sustainability, and global competitiveness in the country’s cashew industry. Among these is a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process that led to an official announcement and validation of the cashew price, conducted jointly with value chain actors.

To strengthen regulation, TCDA recently commissioned its first cohort of Compliance and Enforcement Officers. The officers are tasked with working alongside security agencies and District Assemblies to enforce compliance, curb illegal trading practices, prevent smuggling, and protect farmers and licensed operators.

Production and Processing Outlook

Raw cashew nut production in Ghana has fluctuated in recent years. The 2024 season recorded approximately 161,000 metric tonnes, down from 230,000 metric tonnes in 2023. However, TCDA data indicate that production rebounded in 2025, reaching about 255,000 tonnes, providing sufficient raw materials for processors.

This increase has enabled processors to set an ambitious goal of expanding processing capacities by up to 85,000 metric tonnes in 2026. The initiative aims to boost local value addition, create jobs, and increase farmers’ incomes through improved farming practices and addressing raw material shortages.