How to Export Dried Mango and Pineapple From Ghana (2026 Guide)

Ghana is one of the best-known African sources of dried tropical fruit for Europe, and if you want to export dried mango from Ghana the opportunity is real but the margin for error is small. Buyers reject lots for sulphite problems, wrong moisture or missing paperwork, not because the fruit tastes bad. This guide covers what European buyers expect from dried mango and pineapple, the roles of Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority and Ghana Standards Authority, the documents mentioned on official pages, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost exporters containers.

Is there a market for Ghanaian dried mango and pineapple?

CBI, whose market guides are written for exporters targeting Europe, says in its dried mango market entry guide that Ghana is one of the three largest suppliers of dried mango to Europe, with exports estimated at over 2,000 tonnes. It adds that over 95 percent of exported dried mango is conventional and often sulphite treated, and that organic output is at an early stage, with only a few containers exported in 2024.

For dried pineapple, CBI estimates Ghana's exports to Europe at around 400 tonnes, mostly from one Swiss-Ghanaian company, and reports that overall Ghanaian pineapple exports fell from 20,000 tonnes in 2018 to 1,558 tonnes in 2022, with 74 percent of 2022 exports going to France. Read this as a signal that the buyers are established and concentrated, so a new exporter usually needs a clear point of difference such as organic certification, consistent quality or a specific cut.

Dried mango standards: moisture, grades and water activity

CBI says the common reference is the UNECE standard for dried mango, with grades Extra, Class 1 and Class 2. Moisture should not exceed 15 percent for untreated fruit, while up to 35 percent is allowed for dried mango treated with preservatives or pasteurised. Water activity should be below 0.65. It recommends the Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Dried Fruits, with special attention to insects.

For dried pineapple, CBI's page (updated 9 April 2024) gives different numbers: moisture not above 20 percent for untreated fruit, and treated product up to 44 percent, with product between 26 and 44 percent labelled as soft fruit or high moisture. It also notes pineapple's colour should be a uniform natural yellow or amber, and the texture chewable but not hard. Do not use mango figures for pineapple or the reverse.

Sulphites in dried mango: the number one rejection risk

CBI states that excessive or undeclared sulphite content is the most important reason for border rejections of dried mango, and that sulphites must be labelled as allergens when used. Its dried pineapple page says presence must be labelled above 10 mg/kg (expressed as sulphur dioxide) for prepacked food. CBI's mango page does not give a numeric sulphite limit, so we do not quote one. Ask your buyer for their maximum in writing and test each batch.

• Record how much sulphite is used at each batch, and keep a lab result.
• If you sell sulphite-free, test to prove it.
• Check pesticide residues too: the EU sets maximum residue levels, and some retailers demand stricter limits.
• For pineapple, CBI flags the ripening agent ethephon as the most frequent cause of pineapple border rejections.

The full requirements are on the CBI dried mango market entry page and the dried pineapple page.

Ghana FDA and Ghana Standards Authority: who does what?

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA Ghana) deals with food product registration and export permits. Its imports and exports page says an exporter submits a letter of intent with a packing list, a commercial invoice, a copy of the FDA product registration certificate, certificates of analysis and phytosanitary reports where applicable, and that every shipment must carry an approved export permit and a Manufacture and Free Sale Certificate. That page does not list dried fruit specifically, and FDA's separate export permit guideline for fresh fruits and vegetables does not clearly cover dried products, so ask FDA which route your product follows.

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is the standards body. Its Food and Agriculture division runs laboratories for chemical, physical and sensory tests, mycotoxins, metallic contaminants and pesticide residues, with some work accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Its certification division offers a Standard Mark for conforming products, and HACCP and ISO 22000 sit under its management system certification. See the FDA Ghana page and GSA Food and Agriculture page. Rules change, so confirm with both before shipping.

Labelling and packaging for dried fruit exports

CBI says bulk labels should be coded by lot and show the country of origin, moisture level and shelf life, while retail packs follow EU food information rules. For shipping, it describes packing on Euro pallets (80 by 120 cm), and says a 20-foot container can hold 1,600 cartons of 12.5 kg or 2,000 cartons of 10 kg. Retail packs are often resealable pouches or clear containers. Avoid storing finished fruit in heat: CBI warns that high temperatures can cause sugar particles to form on the surface.

Certifications European buyers ask for

Food safety certification is not legally required for dried mango, but CBI says most established European importers will refuse to work with you without it. The GFSI-recognised schemes it names are IFS, BRCGS and FSSC 22000. Organic needs audits under EU organic rules, and buyers may also ask for social standards such as Fairtrade, SMETA or BSCI. For a small processor this is a real investment, so plan for it early and ask certification bodies for their costs.

How to find and vet buyers

Start by asking for a written specification, then send a small sample before agreeing volumes. Agree payment terms in advance using our guide to LC, TT and escrow payments, and read how to vet an overseas partner from the buyer's side so you know what they will check about you. Our general agricultural export guide covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I export dried mango from Ghana to Europe? Register your product and facility with FDA Ghana, obtain the export permit and Manufacture and Free Sale Certificate it requires, and meet your buyer's specification for moisture, sulphites and residues, backed by lab results.

Are sulphites allowed in dried mango? CBI says they are used widely but must be labelled as allergens, and that excessive or undeclared sulphites are the top reason for border rejections. Get your buyer's limit in writing.

What moisture must dried mango have? CBI states no more than 15 percent untreated, and up to 35 percent if treated with preservatives or pasteurised.

Do I need organic certification? No, but over 95 percent of Ghana's dried mango exports are conventional, so organic can set you apart if you can meet EU organic rules.

Getting started

You can list your dried fruit on Comilmart for free, even before verification, with your specification and certificates. Browse the food and agro category, see the verified supplier directory, or create a free account. Overseas buyers can send a request for quotation at our RFQ page. Comilmart cannot promise buyers, orders, volumes or prices.