The value of Ghana’s food product exports rose sharply by GH₵12.6 billion between 2023 and 2024, reaching GH₵46.1 billion, according to trade data from the Ghana Statistical Service. Imports also recorded strong growth, increasing by GH₵12.2 billion to GH₵38.9 billion.
However, the share of food products in total trade declined over the same period. Food exports fell by 2.4 percentage points to 15.6 percent of total exports, while imports rose marginally by 0.8 percentage points, also to 15.6 percent.
The latest figures show total exports climbed from GH₵186.0 billion in 2023 to GH₵294.9 billion in 2024, while imports increased from GH₵180.7 billion to GH₵250.2 billion.
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The figures reflect a strong recovery in agricultural exports but also the fact that Ghana’s trade basket is increasingly dominated by non-food commodities such as minerals and manufactured goods.
According to trade consultant Afia Boateng, the rise in imports may be linked to changing consumption patterns.
“Urban households are buying more processed and packaged foods, which often come from abroad. That drives up import volumes even when local production is healthy,” she said.
While the growth in value is a positive sign for the sector, analysts warn that maintaining export share will require tackling production costs, improving logistics, and promoting value addition.
