SECTOR CAPABILITIES - Shea butter from Ghana
Ghana produces some of the finest quality shea butter and is available in large quantities for export. The country is one of the leading suppliers of shea butter and its derivatives globally. Its Ghanaian shea butter commands premium prices on the international market as the product is produced organically by default.
The shea value chain in Ghana is well-organized and predominantly women-led. There are a number of international shea industry players, NGO’s and other organizations operating in the sector:
- Global Shea Alliance
- USAID and TechnoServe (US-oriented)
- SNV (a Dutch Development Organization)
- Fair Trade Organization
- The Association of Church Development Projects (ACDEP)
- Savanna Farmers Marketing Company
- Ghana Shea Network
There are ongoing programmes by Ghana’s Government, working through its research institutions to domesticate the shea tree and shorten its maturity period considerably. This way, the private sector will be facilitated to go into large plantation farming to meet the growing demand for shea products. Efforts are also ongoing for Ghanaian shea butter producers to acquire global certifications in order to meet the high international standards and market requirements.
Reasons to buy
Ghanaian shea butter provide the following superior benefits and advantages:
- The shea butter is organic by default
- The sector is well-organized; many actors contribute to its further development
- Proximity of Ghana to the EU & other destination markets
- Strong government support and commitment to the sector
- Research & scientific institutional support
- Support by well-known international and local non-governmental organizations
- Sector dominated by rural women who play key roles in the shea value chain
Trade performance
Featured exporters
Hoseaps Company Limited
Hoseaps company limited started as a sole proprietorship in 2014 and has fully now been established as a private limited company registered in Ghana. Hoseaps is a marketing-oriented company specialized in trading worldwide. It has entered into a long term supply agreements with a number of producers – ISO approved…Show: Hoseaps Company Limited
ALKANDROS ENTERPRISE
Alkandros Enterprise is a leading brand in the manufacturing of health, cosmetic and toiletry products of the utmost quality to satisfy the needs of consumers. Alkandros is determined and poised to solve the various complex health, cosmetic and hygienic needs of the consumer. Prominent among the line of products are,…Show: ALKANDROS ENTERPRISE
Exa Ventures
EXA Ventures is a commercial social enterprise. It was established in 2014. Exa Ventures manufactures and sells high-quality, insect-repelling products such as citronella candles, and pure essential oils. They are also into farming maize , out of which they process corn starch for export. As a result of adding value…Show: Exa Ventures
Useful links
The Global Shea Alliance
The Global Shea Alliance is a non-profit industry association with 560 members from 35 countries including women groups, brands and retailers, suppliers and NGOs. Through public-private partnership, the GSA promotes industry sustainability, quality practices and standards, and demand for shea in food and cosmetics.
The organisation has the vision to be the premier platform to satisfy the strategic interests and practical needs of its members, shea stakeholders – large and small – worldwide.
Global Mamas
Founded in 2003, the Global Mamas community is comprised of thousands of people from around the world working together with the mission of creating prosperity for African women and their families. The Mamas define prosperity as going beyond financial well-being to include happiness and good health. They achieve prosperity by creating and selling unique, handcrafted products of the highest quality. Being able to do the work they love and being empowered by financial independence leads to greater happiness. The Mamas realize their dreams of having the opportunity to support their families, send their children to school, improve their health, and save for the future.