by Emmanuel Oppong

Ghana spent more than GH¢36.5 billion importing food products in 2025, with cereal grains, frozen chicken and animal products accounting for a significant share of the country’s food import bill.

The latest Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report by the Ghana Statistical Service puts the value of food imports at GH¢36.46 billion, highlighting continued dependence on foreign supplies to meet demand for key food commodities.

Processed cereal grains were Ghana’s largest food import, valued at GH¢2.94 billion and accounting for 8.1 percent of total food imports.

Frozen chicken ranked second at GH¢2.84 billion, followed by animal guts, bladders and stomachs, which were imported at a cost of GH¢2.72 billion.

Rice featured twice among the country’s top food imports.

Semi-milled or wholly milled rice was valued at GH¢2.39 billion, while broken rice accounted for another GH¢1.19 billion.

Other major food imports included sugar, frozen fish, palm oil, mangoes and shea nuts.

The four leading food imports, processed cereal grains, frozen chicken, animal products and rice collectively accounted for 30% of Ghana’s food import bill.

The figures underline the scale of Ghana’s food import dependence even as the country continues to expand agricultural production and promote import substitution.

On the export side, the report points to growing opportunities in value-added agriculture and agro-processing, with processed cocoa products, cashew nuts, tuna and shea-based products emerging as important contributors to Ghana’s food export profile.

The contrast between Ghana’s food imports and exports highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural sector.

While Ghana continues to earn from cocoa, cashew and other export products, the country remains heavily reliant on foreign markets for staples and protein products consumed locally.

The report identifies stronger domestic production, agro-processing and value addition as critical to reducing food import dependence and improving the resilience of Ghana’s agricultural economy.

Published Date: July 31, 2026