One of the things you should take advantage of when living in Ghana is the great variety of fruits available. There are so many types of fruits in Ghana you can have the luxury to choose fresh produce all year round. However, it’s important to know that fruits in Ghana are available depending on the season.

There may be some months that you really crave mangoes, but won’t find them because it is not its season. This can be something hard at first because most of us come from a country where any type of fruit is available during any month of the year (avocados available during winter?! That is a little crazy don’t you think?). 

This post will give you insights into Ghana’s most consumed fruits and their seasons, as well as insight into less known fruits that you shouldn’t definitely try!

The most important types of fruits in Ghana

Pineapple

One of the most significant fruit crops in Ghana, with the country being one of the largest exporters of pineapples in Africa. The major pineapple-growing regions are in the Central and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. They are harvested and grown throughout the year. However, since the pineapples are mostly rain-fed, the peak season runs from November through April.

Mango

Also an important fruit crop in Ghana, with the country producing several varieties, including the Kent, Keitt, and Tommy Atkins. Mangoes are mainly grown in the northern regions of the country, particularly in the Upper East and Upper West regions.

Banana

A staple food source across Ghana, bananas come in different varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. The plantain is a starchy cooking banana used in various savory dishes. The Cavendish banana (the ones we know) tend to be very small but super sweet.

Ghanaians tend to eat bananas with groundnuts (peanuts), the reason why you will always see fruit sellers also selling small plastic packs of peanuts. If you buy bananas they will also probably ask you if you want peanuts.

Orange

Orange is available mostly throughout the whole year. The difference is the way they consume oranges. Whilst we may peel off (or not) the skin and eat the whole orange, you will see that oranges are always peeled off and cut only on the top. They then suck on the orange instead of eating it. 

You will also find many other known fruits available (avocado, apple, papaya, etc) but there are also a number of other fruits which are more exotic and unknown. Let’s talk about some of them. 

Local Ghanaian fruits that you probably don’t know off

African Star Fruit (Alasa)

Shaped like a star with waxy yellow skin and a juicy, tangy interior, the African star fruit is a delightful discovery. It’s enjoyed fresh, pickled, or even used as a natural souring agent in soups and stews.

Soursop (Aluguntugui)

This spiky-skinned fruit, also known as graviola, is known for its creamy flesh with a complex flavor profile. The sweet and tart notes are often enjoyed in juices, smoothies, and ice creams, while the seeds are sometimes used medicinally.

Velvet Tamarind (Yooyi)

With dark brown, pod-like skin and a sweet and tangy pulp, the velvet tamarind is a unique treat. The sticky flesh is often enjoyed raw or used to make candies and jams, while the seeds are sometimes roasted and consumed like nuts. It is also said in Ghana that it has an ability to inhibit the growth of plasmodium falciparum which is the main cause of malaria.

Tropical Almond (Abrofo Nkate)

Can be enjoyed as a fresh fruit. Its shell is often cracked for the edible seed to be consumed raw. The seed can be eaten alone or used for preparing fruit salads, smoothies or for garnishing dishes. Oil can also be extracted from the dried nuts, which can be used for cooking. 

Guava (Aguava)

A very common fruit found in all regions of Ghana. The tree grows to about 20 feet, and bears fruit from the trunk up to branches at the top. It can be kept for a long time without the use of preservatives. It is said to be a very nutritious fruit with a number of health benefits. 

Other interesting fruits that go beyond being enjoyed raw

Fruits in Ghana are not just enjoyed raw. They are often incorporated into traditional dishes, adding unique flavors and textures.

• Plantains: These starchy fruits are boiled, fried, or roasted and used in various dishes like fufu and plantain chips.

• Baobab Fruit: The dried pulp of this iconic tree is used to make refreshing drinks and is also consumed for its nutritional benefits. Not only that, but also made into an oil (baobab oil) which is excellent for the skin!
• Shea Nut Fruit: While the nut itself is used for producing shea butter, the fleshy pulp surrounding the nut can be eaten raw or dried.

Agriculture in Ghana: quick overview

Agriculture in Ghana plays a significant role in Ghana’s economy, employing more than half of the country’s workforce and contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP. 

The agriculture sector is mostly formed by small-scale farmers who grow a variety of crops; cocoa, palm oil, coffee, as well as a bug range of fruits and vegetables. 

A big percentage of the population who are based in the Northern region of Ghana for example, depend their livelihoods on crops. Specially maize, rice, sorghum, millet, groundnut, soybeans, cowpea, cassava, yam and other vegetables. 

The country’s tropical climate and fertile soil, create the perfect environment for growing a variety of fruit crops including pineapples, bananas, mangoes, papayas and citrus. These fruits are grown in different parts of the country, with the coastal areas being particularly favorable for the cultivation of pineapples and citrus.