Ghana dried fruits

European countries import more than 30,000 tonnes of dried tropical fruit every year. Ghana has strong potential to supply this growing market with high-quality dried mango, pineapple, coconut, and other tropical fruits.Yet most of Ghana's fruit exports are still sold fresh, and only a limited number of national companies currently process and export dried fruits. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges meeting the production volumes, certification requirements, and food safety standards expected by European buyers.

CBI is partnering with 12 SMEs in Ghana's dried fruit sector to strengthen their businesses. The SMEs work on improving production, meeting international food safety and quality standards, building export capabilities, and creating decent employment opportunities for young people.

We work closely with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Food Movement, educational institutions, and other sector partners to strengthen market access, help young people build skills, support companies in hiring them, and boost the visibility of Ghanaian dried fruits in European markets.

Are you a European importer, buyer, investor, or knowledge partner interested in sustainable sourcing of dried fruits and growing supplier relationships? We would appreciate hearing from you.

Project purpose  

Ghana has favourable conditions for producing high-quality dried fruits and a growing group of ambitious SMEs with export potential. European demand for dried tropical fruits still grows, and buyers are looking for new sourcing origins following changes in global supply chains and rising transportation costs in recent years.

At the same time, the sector includes a mix of established players and ambitious SMEs. To successfully compete internationally, Ghanaian SMEs are currently focusing on several important areas for growth:

• Upgrading operations: Investing in modern processing equipment to increase productivity.
• Meeting European standards: Expanding their knowledge of strict food safety and certification requirements.
• Securing raw materials: Building reliable supply chains to source high-quality ingredients.
• Strengthening finances: Attracting investments to upgrade facilities and scale up operation.
• Scaling up capacity: Building the volume needed to handle large orders from European buyers.
• Strengthening collaboration: Fostering closer partnerships between processors, farmers, and support institutions.

Youth employment presents a major opportunity. The dried fruit processing sector has strong potential to create decent jobs for young people. By aligning education with the practical needs of businesses, companies can attract qualified staff, while young professionals gain the skills needed to build successful careers.

To capture these growth opportunities, participating SMEs focus on 5 important pathways:

• Improving productivity: They streamline production processes, upgrade equipment, and strengthen staff training and onboarding.
• Expanding youth employment: Collaborating with educational institutions and organisations such as the Ghana Food Movement to create meaningful jobs.
• Securing reliable raw materials: Building stronger sourcing relationships with processors and farmers, including partnerships through the POMBI platform;
• Strengthening financial management: Connecting SMEs with financial institutions to secure the investments needed for growth ;
• EU market access: Participating in business export coaching, driving certification readiness, and building market linkages and branding in collaboration with GEPA.

The project supports both frontrunner exporters that can already supply larger volumes and emerging SMEs that can contribute specialised products and supply to larger exporters. Through coaching, trade fair participation, and collaborative activities, the project aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire sector.

With these pathways, Ghanaian SMEs grow their exports, professionalise operations, and create more and better jobs for young people.

Become a partner

Ghana’s dried fruit sector has reached an exciting phase in its development. A group of companies is actively working to professionalise and grow their exports. What they need now is connections, knowledge, and market access, not just funding. We are looking for partners who understand that and are willing to invest time in building something that lasts.

We are particularly interested in:

• European importers and buyers who are open to sourcing dried fruits from Ghana and interested in building direct relationships with Ghanaian processors. The Netherlands is an important European trading hub for dried fruits and nuts, making Dutch traders, wholesalers, and food brands natural partners. Participating companies are actively improving quality, certification, and export readiness, creating new sourcing opportunities for buyers looking to diversify supply chains.
• Knowledge partners with expertise in food safety, certification, or processing technology who can contribute practically to what the companies are working on. This could mean sharing standards knowledge, reviewing processes, or connecting us to relevant networks.
• Financial institutions or investors with experience in agri-food SMEs in West Africa who are interested in supporting companies that are genuinely growing and investing in their own improvement.
• Dutch or European organisations already active in Ghana’s agrifood sector, including through the POMBI initiative, who see opportunities to align efforts and avoid duplication.

Reach out now

What does a partnership with CBI look like? 

CBI does not provide funding. What we offer is connection, coordination, and practical collaboration.

If you are a buyer or importer, we can introduce you to vetted Ghanaian exporters who are actively working on their product quality, food safety, and reliability. You get early access to a new origin, and the companies get honest market feedback that helps them improve. Participating SMEs receive support in areas such as certification, export readiness, production efficiency, and quality management, helping them become more reliable long-term sourcing partners for European buyers.

If you are a knowledge partner, we can involve you in education, peer sessions, or the development of practical tools such as standard operating procedures for the sector. Your input shapes what the companies learn and how they develop.

If you are a financial partner, we can help you understand the sector, identify credible companies, and support SMEs in preparing solid loan applications. We can also facilitate introductions and joint meetings.

There is no fee to become a partner but we do expect partners to cover their own costs for travel and related activities.

Partners

We are currently in the implementation phase. 12 SMEs are participating in the programme, including 3 frontrunner exporters that are already serving international markets.

Current partners include:

• Educational institutions and youth employment partners
• German Import Promotion Desk (IPD)
• Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)
• Ghana Food Movement
• POMBI platform and participating organisations
• Sector stakeholders working in export development and agribusiness

We are always open to connecting with European importers and buyers looking for reliable and sustainable suppliers of dried fruits from Ghana. If you are active in this sector and see potential for collaboration, we would love to hear from you.

Collaborate with us

Would you like to help Ghana’s dried fruit sector grow in a sustainable and inclusive way?
Click the button below to express your interest.

For questions or more information, please contact Dirk-Jan Zegelaar.

Reach out now

About CBI

CBI promotes sustainable production and trade between low-and middle-income countries and the Netherlands and Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystem to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability. 

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.