Agricultural Export Supply Chain Optimisation
The Challenge
A consortium of cocoa and shea butter producers in the Ashanti and Northern Regions required an integrated export logistics solution. Individual producers lacked the volume to negotiate competitive shipping rates, and inconsistent packaging and documentation practices were causing delays and rejections at destination ports in Europe.
Our Solution
McDan Shipping established a consolidation hub at our warehousing facility near Tema Port. We implemented standardised packaging protocols compliant with EU import requirements, trained producer cooperatives on documentation preparation, and negotiated consolidated ocean freight rates that reduced per-unit shipping costs by 28%. A dedicated export desk managed weekly shipments to Rotterdam and Hamburg.
The Outcome
Export volumes increased by 45% within the first year of operation. Cargo rejection rates at European ports dropped from 12% to under 1%. The programme benefited over 200 smallholder farmers and was recognised by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority as a model for agricultural export facilitation.