Ghana exported about US$22.3 billion of goods in 2025. Three product groups, gold, cocoa and oil, made up more than 85% of that total, and the United States bought only a small share. For Ghanaian businesses looking at the US market, that gap is the opportunity.
Ghana’s top 10 exports in 2025
| Rank | Product group | Value (US$) | Share of exports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gems and precious metals (mainly gold) | 9.2 billion | 41.1% |
| 2 | Cocoa | 6.0 billion | 26.8% |
| 3 | Mineral fuels, including oil | 3.9 billion | 17.5% |
| 4 | Fruits and nuts | 601.2 million | 2.7% |
| 5 | Ores, slag and ash | 600.1 million | 2.7% |
| 6 | Animal and vegetable fats, oils and waxes | 225.5 million | 1.0% |
| 7 | Rubber and rubber articles | 215.5 million | 1.0% |
| 8 | Aluminium | 201.3 million | 0.9% |
| 9 | Meat and seafood preparations | 183.3 million | 0.8% |
| 10 | Ceramic products | 157.6 million | 0.7% |
Data: Daniel Workman, “Ghana’s Top Exports”, World’s Top Exports (2025 figures). Summarised by Nakum-Soft.
Where Ghana’s exports go
The United Arab Emirates (20.4%) and Switzerland (20.2%) are the largest buyers, driven mostly by gold, followed by South Africa, China and India. The United States ranks ninth, taking about 2.4% of Ghana’s exports. US government figures put US goods imports from Ghana at $1.2 billion in 2025 (USTR).
What this means for exporters targeting the US
- Concentration is a risk. When most export earnings come from gold, cocoa and oil, Ghana’s trade depends heavily on world commodity prices.
- Value-added products are the gap. Fruits and nuts, vegetable oils such as shea, processed foods and light manufactures are small today but are exactly the goods that can enter the US duty-free under AGOA, which now runs to 31 December 2028.
- Policy is pointing the same way. Ghana’s Trade Minister has said AGOA covers “anything agriculture that you add value to”, and the government is backing three new garment factories in 2026 (Daily Graphic).
- The US share has room to grow. At about 2.4% of Ghana’s exports, the world’s largest consumer market is still a small destination for Ghanaian goods.
Is your product ready for US buyers?
Nakum-Soft helps Ghanaian exporters prepare products, pricing and paperwork for the US market and connects them with US buyers. Book a US Export Readiness Assessment.