Latest News

Ghana's low cocoa output adds to squeeze on trade surplus

Ghana's cocoa export revenue fell almost 50% yearonyear in the very first 4 months of the year, cancelling out gains from oil and gold receipts and narrowing the West African country's trade surplus, reserve bank information showed on Friday.

Cocoa export profits have continued a constant decrease given that December 2023, standing at $599.2 million since April compared with $1.17 billion at the exact same point in 2023, Bank of Ghana stated in a summary of financial and financial data.

Strong winds, scant rain, smuggling and illness have actually damaged cocoa output of the world's number two manufacturer. Production is now anticipated to be practically 40% below target in the 2023/24 season, according to the cocoa sector regulator.

The central bank information showed oil and gold exports rose in January to April, however not enough to balance out the impact of declining cocoa exports.

Ghana's trade balance for the four months ending April fell 46.5% year-on-year to $744.3 million, according to the data released ahead of a policy rate decision on Monday.

It revealed that global reserves rose to $4.3 billion in April, enough to cover two months of imports.

Given that cocoa production peaked in 2020/21 season, output has been decreasing and is now approximated to fall to 580,000 metric tons this season, according to the cocoa marketing board.

The cocoa sector difficulties are further restraining Ghana's. efforts to emerge from its worst economic crisis in a. generation.

The cedi currency has actually lost more than 14% against the dollar. given that the start of the year.