Grace Ocran, a Ghanaian businesswoman, has successfully built a thriving palm oil and Palm kernel oil business alongside her father. What started as a small-scale home operation has now grown into a fully established factory, where they process and produce large quantities of palm oil and palm kernel oil.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Business Link show, Grace shared how she got into the business. Her father had been involved in the palm oil trade for years, and she often assisted him in various ways. After completing school, she struggled to find a job. One day, while visiting home, she used their palm oil for cooking and was impressed by its quality. Realizing its potential, she decided to rebrand and market it professionally.
Although Grace studied social work and was supposed to work in the social welfare sector, she saw an opportunity in the family business and chose to invest her time and education into expanding it. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized that many young people focus solely on white-collar jobs instead of exploring profitable ventures like family businesses.
Grace has been actively involved in the palm oil business for three years, overseeing operations from sourcing palm fruits to production and sales. Her company owns palm tree plantations, purchases additional palm fruits, and processes them into various products, including red palm oil, palm kernel oil (PKO), and other specialty oils. The factory employs workers who handle different aspects of production, from peeling the palm nuts to extracting the oil.
To boost sales, Grace leveraged social media, creating an online presence where she markets and sells their products. Through consistent posting and advertising, she has expanded her customer base significantly. Initially, sales started with just a few gallons, but now they process and sell in bulk—ranging from 50 to 2,000 gallons at a time. Customers from within Ghana and neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Nigeria purchase in large quantities, sometimes even bringing tankers to the factory for bulk supply.
According to Grace, palm oil is a highly lucrative business. She advises those looking for financial opportunities to consider investing in it, especially by buying in bulk during peak seasons for resale later at higher prices. She also encourages young entrepreneurs to use their smartphones for business, highlighting how she upgraded her business entirely through social media marketing.
Apart from palm oil, her company also produces virgin cold-pressed coconut oil and heat-processed coconut oil. The cold-pressed oil, which remains pure and white without heat processing, sells for GHC 1,500, while the heat-processed version is GHC 1,350. Smaller-sized containers go for GHC 300.
Grace’s business offers free deliveries to selected destinations, including Accra, Kasoa, Koforidua, and Kumasi. Their palm oil products come in different varieties such as Zomi (for soups), red palm oil (for general cooking), and soap-making oil. The most in-demand product is palm kernel oil, which receives high requests both locally and internationally.
She noted that some buyers even pre-finance production, sending money ahead for large orders. With rising demand, especially during periods of palm oil shortages, she believes storing and selling at the right time can be extremely profitable. Buyers from Nigeria and Burkina Faso regularly travel to Ghana for palm oil, and her company also prepares export-friendly packaging for international customers.
For those interested in purchasing, Grace’s company can be contacted via 0248700208 or on social media under Grace Unique Palm Oil and Guppo Palm Oil Hub. She remains committed to growing her business and expanding her reach both locally and internationally.
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