Beginning in September, the European Union (EU) and Japan will implement heavy metal testing on cocoa exports from Ghana due to contamination risks linked to illegal mining. This move could significantly impact Ghana’s cocoa trade in key international markets.

At a conference on responsible small-scale mining, acting COCOBOD CEO Dr. Randy Abbey raised concerns about the threat illegal mining poses to Ghana’s cocoa industry. He highlighted that the EU and Japan would focus on detecting nickel in cocoa beans, with North America and other Asian markets expected to follow suit.

“The premium status of our cocoa, which earns us extra revenue, is under serious threat because they are starting with nickel,” Dr. Abbey cautioned.

In response, COCOBOD is preparing to meet the new standards by investing in advanced testing facilities at the Quality Control Center in Tema. Dr. Abbey emphasized that testing will now extend beyond moisture content and other traditional quality factors to include heavy metal contamination.

As global buyers enforce stricter safety regulations, Ghana faces mounting pressure to address the environmental impact of illegal mining and protect its position as a leading cocoa exporter.