Ghanaian exporters are preparing for tough times following the United States’ introduction of a new 10% tariff on imports, a policy expected to hit key segments of the country’s non-traditional exports.
The measure, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, has raised concerns among local producers and exporters about potential losses in market share, pricing competitiveness, and revenue from the American market.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, the tariff will directly affect Ghana’s cocoa derivatives—a critical value-added export—as well as garments, textiles, cashew, shea butter, and various agricultural products.
As one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, Ghana has been working to increase its presence in the processed cocoa market. However, the new U.S. tariff could dampen these efforts, making Ghanaian cocoa products less competitive.
Garments and textiles, another industry on the tariff list, also face a significant blow. The sector has enjoyed modest growth under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free access to the U.S. market. Industry players now fear that the new tariff will erode this cost advantage, making it harder to compete with lower-cost producers worldwide.
The agricultural sector is not spared. Exports of cashew, shea butter, fruits, vegetables, and yam—some of Ghana’s leading non-traditional exports—are also now subject to the increased duty.
Exporters in these sectors worry that the added cost burden will reduce demand from U.S. buyers or force them to absorb losses just to remain competitive.
Analysts warn that the tariff could have wider implications for Ghana’s export-led growth strategy and foreign exchange earnings, especially as the country pushes to diversify away from raw material exports.
Some industry voices are calling on the government to explore alternative markets, including leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In response, Ghana’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry have begun diplomatic engagements with the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, in a bid to mitigate the impact. The closed-door discussions were held on April 7.
