In Ghana, there are estimated 94 million shea nut trees which were projected to produce at least 60,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts per annum for the production of all shea butter processed locally (Ofosu, 2009). This yields about 150 tonnes of shea butter, 60% of which is used locally with 25% exported.
What is a shea butter processing facility?
The processing facility is a fully automated solvent fractionation plant that processes raw shea butter made from locally collected and crushed shea nuts into two major products – shea olein and shea stearin.
How much is a shea nut worth in Ghana?
The shea nut market in Ghana is well established, being sold both locally and internationally. In 1996, Ghana exported 21,467 tons of shea nuts worth $4,484,600 (Chaffin, 2004).
Who is Ghana speciality fats Industries Limited (gsfil)?
Our client, Ghana Speciality Fats industries limited (GSFIL), is a joint venture enterprise between agri-processing leaders Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Wilmar Holdings. Since 2006, GSFIL has grown to become the largest processor of shea nuts in Ghana, manufacturing shea oils and butter.
Why is shea butter so popular in West Africa?
Shea, also recognized fondly by the locals as the tree of life, has become a vital ingredient in both food and non-food products, exponentially driving up demand for shea butter in the last decade. Many families in West Africa depend on the shea industry to financially support their households and contribute to their communities.
How can BLC help build and advance the African shea industry?
We are proud to join forces with local communities to help build and advance the African shea industry together. Operational since 2019, the facility is BLCs first shea processing plant in Africa and the largest of its kind on the continent.