Here are the Top 5 Export Partners of Ghana
Rank 5: Germany (4.6 Percent)
- Germany was the single most important destination of Ghana’s exports, accounting for some 19 percent of all exports. A major change occurred in 1991 when the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany) abrogated its barter trade agreement with Ghana following the union of the two Germanies. In spite of this, agreement was reached between the two countries to honor existing commitments. In late 1991, the Ghanaian government showed renewed interest in trade with the countries of Eastern Europe following the adoption of free-market systems in the wake of political upheavals in those countries. Ghanaian trade officials expect that the barter trade system will give way to open market operations.
Rank 4. The United States (5.9 Percent)
- The U.S. and Ghana signed a Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 1999. The fifth U.S.-Ghanaian TIFA Council Meeting was held in January 2008. Later that year, the United States and Mauritius launched bilateral investment treaty negotiations. That year, the U.S. and Ghana also opened exploratory discussions on the possibility of negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). Ghana was the United States’ 75th largest goods export market in 2013. U.S. goods exports to Ghana in 2013 were $1.1 billion, down 19.3% ($255 million) from 2012. The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2013 were: Vehicles ($266 million), Machinery ($200 million), Mineral Fuel (oil) ($110 million), Meat (poultry) ($83 million), and Cereals (rice) ($79 million). U.S. agricultural exports in 2013 were $190 million. Leading categories include: poultry meat ($83 million) and rice ($69 million).
Rank 3. France (6.2 Percent)
- France imports from Ghana includes timber products, fruits and handicraft. Ghana earns most of its foreign exchange by exporting timber, cocoa and gold. When it comes to timber export, the country depends mostly on the forests located in the southwest region. The export of timber and other forest products accounted for 11 percent of Ghana’s export earnings and 6 percent of the GDP in 2000. The formal sector is responsible for providing livelihood to around 100,000 people, but many more earn some form of income from the forests. Furthermore, around 2 million people depend on Ghana’s forests for customary and traditional lifestyles, such as collecting wood for fuel, wood carving, producing rattan goods and carving canoes. Most of Ghana’s timber is exported to the EU, and some of the products in demand include sliced veneer, plywood, rotary veneer and kiln dried lumber. Other timber exports include curl veneer, boules, furniture parts and air dried lumber.
Rank 2. The United Kingdom (9 Percent)
- Cocoa, canned fish, fruit and vegetables and petroleum products were top export commodities from Ghana to the UK in 2009. Trade relations between UK and Ghana is being facilitated by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) section of the British High Commission, a section dedicated to helping UK companies succeed in Ghana.
Rank 1. The Netherlands (11 Percent)
- The Netherlands and Ghana have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations since 1701. Celebrations were held in 2001 and 2002 to mark this achievement. The strong historical and cultural ties between Ghana and the Netherlands mainly focus on the Dutch cultural heritage in Ghana. In partnership with a range of other parties, the Netherlands has restored a fort and several houses of Dutch origin, notably in the village of Elmina. Activities in Ghana are funded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cultural program. Dutch civil society is actively involved in promoting Ghana’s development.