Ghana ships most of its cashews out raw. J Grand Commodities Limited is trying to change that equation.
The company on Friday, July 17, launched three new cashew-based products under its Juki Nuts brand: cashew milk, cashew butter, and a protein bar. The rollout is part of a broader push to promote value addition, create jobs, and expand the market for locally processed cashew.
The initiative aligns with national efforts to maximise the potential of Ghana’s cashew industry by turning raw nuts into finished goods for both local consumption and export.
The three products were developed under the Market-Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth (MOVE)-ComCashew programme. The programme is being implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) with the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Founder and Team Lead of J Grand Commodities Limited, Mr Justice Ganaku, said the company was set up to ensure Ghana moves beyond exporting raw cashew to building globally competitive brands.
Citing data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), he noted that about 90 per cent of Ghana’s cashew is exported in its raw state — a trend that limits local processing, job creation, and export earnings.
Mr Ganaku said J Grand Commodities Limited was established in 2020. A year later, it launched the Juki Nuts brand and has since expanded to more than 80 retail outlets across the country.
He explained that the new products are part of efforts to diversify the company’s range and add more value to locally produced cashew.
He added that the company currently employs 17 young Ghanaians, with women making up 10 of the workforce.
According to him, support from the MOVE-ComCashew programme made it possible to develop products that are nutritious, innovative, and sustainable.
He urged consumers and business partners to back Made-in-Ghana products to drive industrial growth, create jobs, and increase foreign exchange earnings.
Also speaking, the Partner and Marketing Lead of J Grand Commodities, Mr Richard Larbi Addiah-Nickson, reflected on the journey of the company amid challenges facing start-ups, especially those led by youth.
He said that while many start-ups fail within their first few years, J Grand Commodities has remained resilient. The launch of the new products, he noted, is evidence of the dedication of its young team.
Mr Addiah-Nickson also expressed appreciation to sponsors and partners for their role in the company’s growth.
Support for SMEs
The Country Director of GIZ Ghana, Ms Sandra Retzer, said the MOVE programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is helping SMEs transform local agricultural produce into high-quality products.
She said the programme highlights the role of entrepreneurship, innovation, and partnerships in strengthening Ghana’s agricultural value chains.
Ms Retzer disclosed that the initiative has supported 45 companies to develop new products, including 37 women-led businesses. It has also created employment opportunities for more than 5,500 young people.
She praised J Grand Commodities for showing how local businesses can create value, reduce waste, and produce goods that can compete locally and internationally.
Push for Value Addition
A representative of the Tree Crops Development Authority, Mr Boabeng Adams, said TCDA remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote value addition, improve processing capacity, and expand markets for Ghana’s tree crop products.
He stated that investment in processing and product development will create jobs, improve farmers’ incomes, and contribute to national economic growth.
Boosting Non-Traditional Exports
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Mr Ambrose Edwin Nsarkoh, said the launch is an important milestone for J Grand Commodities and for Ghana’s manufacturing sector.
He said the company’s products have the potential to compete in both domestic and international markets and will help strengthen non-traditional exports.
He urged consumers and business partners to support Made-in-Ghana products to boost industrial growth, job creation, and national development.
About J Grand Commodities Limited
J Grand Commodities is a Ghanaian agribusiness and food processing company focused on adding value to locally grown cashew. The company operates under the consumer brand Juki Nuts and aims to reduce Ghana’s dependence on raw cashew exports by producing finished products for local and international markets. They currently have 10 different products, which are sold in Ghana and exported as well.
