Shea butter that is imported from Ghana is actually quite common since Ghana is one of the biggest exporters of the product in the world. Buying this all natural, unprocessed substance from this region not only supports the economy of Ghana but also supplies western countries with a high quality product that has both healing and moisturizing qualities. Therefore, it is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Comparing Different Types of Shea Butter

Do not confuse Shea butter from Ghana or other regions in West Africa from those produced in Uganda, which is located in the East Africa region. The Shea butter from Ghana is actually very different in nature. Shea butter from East Africa tends to be a bitter softer and more fragrant than she butter from Ghana. Shea butter from East Africa is also rarer, which means it is generally more expensive to purchase. On the other hand, the Shea butter from East Africa tends to have less Vitamin A than Shea butter from regions of West Africa. In addition, it has a higher absorption rate due to the fact that it has reduced levels of fatty acids.

Shea butter is available from many difference regions in Africa. Which type you should buy really depends on your preference. If you want a more pleasing smell, you should look for the product from East Africa. If you want the version that has a higher Vitamin A content that can help prevent wrinkle and stretch marks, look to find a product from the West Africa regions.

Doing it by Hand

The production of Shea butter Ghana products has grown substantially since the early 1990’s, at which time the country had had zero exports in this market. Today, Ghana is a leading exporter of Shea butter and the process of developing it is still mostly done by hand. This is a highly time consuming process, however, and does not always yield the highest extraction rates. There have been multiple attempts to industrialize this process, but these attempts have not always been very successful. As such, production of Shea butter Ghana products is still slower than the country would like it to be.

Problems with the country’s basic infrastructure has made the implementation of better communication and technology systems difficult, both of which have been major roadblocks in making the extraction process more efficient. Harvesting the Shea butter has also been problematic at times because the trees grow on the savannahs in the wild of Ghana.

Getting a Great Product

While this product is created often from a very labor intensive process, the end result is a smooth and creamy product that can soothe your dry skin and help heal various skin ailments. Shea butter Ghana products are able to serve multiple purposes, but most people use it for its cosmetic benefits. While some in western cultures recognize its potential healing properties, it most known for its moisturizing capabilities.

Part of the reason Shea butter is not recognized for its healing properties is the fact that it is often processed with other chemicals in order to create a cheaper lotion. During the process, however, many of its healing agents are removed and it is only beneficial as a moisturizer. Although it is a very powerful moisturizer, its other potential benefits are wasted.

In addition to being used as a moisturizer, Shea butter is also obtained for use in chocolate production. When making chocolate products, manufacturers often use either cocoa butter or Shea butter. The varying demand for it in this form and the unpredictability of the harvest can impact the overall cost that you can expect to pay for Shea butter chocolate and other products made with it.