Ghana has launched a strategic push into Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing $1.3bn chocolate market, marking a significant expansion of the country’s cocoa export footprint into the Middle East and Asia.
The development was confirmed by Fuad Mohammed Abubakar, Managing Director of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company (UK) Ltd, following Ghana’s participation in the Saudi International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition held in Riyadh in December.
The move reflects Ghana’s broader effort to diversify cocoa export destinations beyond Europe, strengthen value-added processing, and tap into more than $3.4bn in cocoa and chocolate demand emerging across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asian markets.
Ghana’s delegation to the exhibition brought together key state and private sector players, including Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company (UK) Ltd, Cocoa Marketing Company Ghana Ltd, the Cocoa Processing Company, and Three Mountains Cocoa.
The exhibition provided a platform for direct engagement with chocolate manufacturers, food processors, hospitality suppliers and commodity buyers operating across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.
Abubakar said interest in Ghanaian cocoa was driven by rising demand for premium chocolate products, consistency of supply and the country’s reputation for high-quality beans.
‘Saudi Arabia represents one of the most dynamic growth markets for chocolate globally,’ he noted in a LinkedIn post. ‘Consumption patterns are changing rapidly, and manufacturers are actively seeking reliable cocoa partners.’
Beyond the Saudi market itself, Ghana’s strategy is anchored on positioning the Kingdom as a gateway to a much larger regional opportunity.
Industry estimates place combined cocoa and chocolate demand across the GCC and Asia at more than $3.4bn, supported by population growth, urbanisation and rising disposable incomes.
Saudi Arabia’s advanced logistics infrastructure and expanding manufacturing base are increasingly making it a regional export hub linking the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia.
‘Entering Saudi Arabia is not only about selling cocoa into one market,’ Abubakar said. ‘It is about accessing an entire value chain that connects the Gulf to Asia.’
A major milestone during the Riyadh engagement was the establishment of the Saudi–Ghana Business Council, aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation between both countries.
The council is expected to facilitate trade missions, promote joint ventures and support industrial partnerships in cocoa processing, food manufacturing and agribusiness investment.
According to Abubakar, the framework provides a structured pathway for long-term collaboration beyond commodity exports.
‘This creates the foundation for sustained private sector engagement and deeper industrial ties,’ he said.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation agenda is playing a central role in boosting demand for chocolate and confectionery products.
The Kingdom is investing heavily in domestic manufacturing, food processing and tourism, with an official target of 150 million visitors annually by 2030. Preparations are also under way to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, further accelerating hospitality and retail consumption.
These developments are expected to significantly increase demand for cocoa-based products, particularly in premium and specialty chocolate segments.
Abubakar said Ghana’s cocoa quality and traceability standards align closely with the needs of emerging Saudi manufacturers.
Value addition at the centre
Ghana’s participation in the exhibition underscored a growing shift towards exporting processed cocoa products alongside raw beans.
With the involvement of the Cocoa Processing Company and private processors, Ghana promoted cocoa liquor, butter and powder, reinforcing its ambition to move up the value chain.
‘Our objective is to support industrial partnerships that expand processing capacity and create shared value,’ Abubakar said.
Strengthening Ghana’s global cocoa reach
The Saudi expansion forms part of Ghana’s wider export diversification strategy aimed at stabilising farmer incomes, reducing exposure to traditional markets and strengthening foreign exchange earnings.
Abubakar expressed appreciation to Saudi Business Links for facilitating meetings and supporting the Ghanaian delegation throughout the Riyadh programme. He also acknowledged the role of the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) in promoting sustainable growth within the global cocoa sector.
As chocolate consumption accelerates across the Gulf and Asia, Ghana’s entry into Saudi Arabia signals a pivotal shift in how the world’s second-largest cocoa producer positions itself in the next phase of global trade.
