Orange Growers Association to boost nation’s share of global market

The Orange Growers Association (OGA) of Ghana is poised to significantly increase the country’s share of the global orange market, building on the association’s rapid growth and innovative initiatives, Opanyin Nimo Ahinkorah, the OGA Board Chairman, has said.

The global orange market is expected to reach US$5.6 billion by 2032, largely driven by increased consumer awareness of the health benefits of oranges.

Currently, Ghana trails the continent’s two top exporters of oranges – South Africa and Egypt, which earned US$807 and US$758 million, respectively, in 2022, from fresh and dried oranges, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

“Every part of the orange is valuable, but we have not fully taken advantage of it until now. Now, the Orange Growers Association of Ghana is on track to greatly expand our nation’s footprint in the global orange market,” Mr. Ahinkorah said during the inauguration of the organisation’s new head office in Akim Oda.

He added that Ghana’s geographical position guarantees more favourable conditions than the market leaders, a factor the association intends to harness.

Historically, orange farmers have faced numerous obstacles, including high post-harvest losses, pests and diseases, unpredictable market conditions, low competitive prices, and limited external support.

“This led some farmers to abandon their farms and cut down the orange trees to grow other more profitable crops,” the board chair explained.

However, the formation of the OGA in 2020, through the initiative of Eastfield Farms, has been a game-changer for the industry.

The association was born out of the necessity to unify and champion the cause of orange growers nationwide, with the principal aims of giving a quality mark to Ghanaian oranges, supporting growers to be globally competitive, adopting new technologies, and ensuring the long-term profitability of its members.

The OGA has since witnessed notable growth, expanding from 273 members in 2020 to over 3,000 members by 2024, covering 12 districts and 82 rural communities.

“We have actively trained and resourced over 800 farmers, and our membership can largely be attributed to the strength of our partners and the programmes we undertake,” Mr. Ahinkorah said, adding that the development is contributing to a change in the perception around farming in the community.

OGA’s partners, including industry giants like GIZ, Sono Ghana, Ankaa, and Compass, have played crucial roles in the OGA’s operations, providing support ranging from logistics and personal equipment supply to training seminars and introducing modern technologies.

“Compass, our Ivorian partner, buys the fruits unripe, mitigating wastage and post-harvest losses, while Kofutus, a Spanish partner, is helping to introduce modern technologies and insights into orange farming and processing,” the OGA Board Chair said, citing one such example.

To further boost the industry, the OGA will continue its resolve and aim to set up a Citrus Development and Extension Services Team to assist aged farmers, boost productivity, and ensure conformity to industry standards. This team will be equipped with technologies like drones to help monitor the fields and address issues like encroachment.

The association’s commitment to sustainability and growth is evident in its focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing the quality and consistency of its produce, and adding value at every stage of the supply chain.

“Through initiatives like the rehabilitation of old farms, the introduction of cutting-edge agronomic techniques, and the establishment of fair pricing and processing infrastructure, we are ensuring that orange farmers can achieve more than just subsistence,” Mr. Ahinkorah stated.

The OGA Board Chairman acknowledged that the success of this endeavour cannot be achieved in isolation. He called upon all stakeholders, including the government, private sector partners, and international organisations, to join hands and collaborate with the association.

“We need your support, your investment, and your expertise to fully realize the potential of our industry. Together, we can build productive partnerships that will bring new technologies to our farms, open new markets for our produce, and provide our farmers with the tools they need to succeed,” he noted.

Consequently, OGA has called on local and international stakeholders to partner with it to drive orange production, consumption, and the sustainability of livelihoods in Ghana.