The United States has lifted the 15% tariffs on cocoa and several agricultural products from Ghana, as announced by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The change took effect on November 13, 2025, following a new executive order from President Trump.
In a Facebook post, Minister Ablakwa indicated that U.S. diplomats confirmed the reversal of the tariffs, which now excludes not only cocoa beans but also vital Ghanaian exports like cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantains, pineapples, guavas, coconuts, ginger, and various peppers.
This policy shift is a significant boost for Ghana’s cocoa industry. Currently exporting around 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans annually to the U.S., the tariff removal could generate approximately $60 million (GH₵667 million) in additional revenue each year, according to the Minister.
Ghana welcomed the development, with Ablakwa emphasizing the intent to strengthen mutual relations with the U.S. The tariff increase originally stemmed from a July 31, 2025, executive order by President Trump, which raised reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including Ghana, igniting concern in Ghana’s agricultural export sector, particularly in cocoa, a key driver of foreign exchange.
In response, Ghana’s government pushed back firmly, with Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi stating the country was ready to engage at high levels to contest what they viewed as unjust, highlighting that the U.S. does not produce cocoa domestically. Analysts have framed this situation as a wake-up call for broader African trade integration, advocating for enhanced regional cooperation under agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area.
