Overview

Please see USDA’s Ghana Exporter Guide Annual for more detailed information and updates. Information in this section is from that 2024 report. Ghana remains a major importer of food and agricultural products. These imports will continue to grow as Ghana’s underdeveloped food processing sector is unable to meet increased demand. Food imports are mostly comprised of bulk, intermediate and consumer-oriented commodities such as rice, soy, and poultry.  

In 2024, Ghana’s imports of U.S. origin agricultural and related products increased to $147.1 million, up from $107 million in 2023, highlighting Ghana’s continuing economic recovery. The top 10 growth products for those exports were: 1. Poultry Meat; 2. Food Preparations; 3. Other Consumer Products; 4. Dairy Products; 5. Fruits and Vegetables; 6. Wine; 7. Fresh Vegetables; 8. Dog & Cat Food; 9. Condiments & Sauces; and 10. Beer

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

Food Retail Sector: Retail spending increased to $24 billion in 2023, thanks largely to the growing middle class. The sector is made up of large supermarkets and hypermarkets, mid-sized grocery stores, convenience stores, and smaller independent shops, stalls, or kiosks near homes and in open markets. Traditional retail channels are preferred over modern channels largely due to the lower prices. Modern grocery retailers will continue increasing in the future due to growing urbanization.

The hotel and restaurant sector has been identified as the segment with the second most rapid growth after retail stores. Third is the quick service/take away services sector, which also witnessed remarkable growth in recent times, with the likes of KFC, Burger King, Chicken Republic, Barcelos, and Papaye (a local brand) adding to their number of outlets. Ranked fourth is the cafés segment, which includes cafés, pizza shops, grills, and steak houses. This segment of the food market in Ghana is growing substantially, with Vida e Caffè, Pizza Hut, Second Cup, Pinkberry and Steak Escape among the foreign franchises to enter the market space.  Also included in this segment are smaller and usually informal restaurants that serve simple cheap meals and drinks (mainly local Ghanaian dishes and instant noodles).

Opportunities

• Growing middle class driving consumption of high value food products
• Growing demand for intermediate products due to growing food processing industry
• Entry and growth of U.S. fast food franchise
• Relatively good infrastructure: ports, airport, and roads
• Country remains the ideal regional distribution logistics hub
• Increasing preference for American lifestyle due to ties with relatives in the United States
• Growing tourism and corporate hotel industry

Agents/distributors are key components in developing exports of U.S. consumer-ready foods to Ghana. The Foreign Agricultural Service office at Embassy Accra recommends that exporters enter the market through a distributor, importer, agent, or broker who understands the Ghanaian market. To explore commercial opportunities in this sector, contact:

Office of Agricultural Affairs (Foreign Agricultural Service) 
U.S. Embassy Accra
Tel: +233-030-274-1000.
Email: AgAccra@usda.gov; 
Website: www.fas.usda.gov

Other Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture GAIN Reports, Ghana Statistics Service, Economist Intelligence Unit, Global Agricultural Trade System, Trade Data Monitor LLC.

Regulatory Authorities

Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Head Office 
Mail: P. O. Box CT 2783, Cantonments – Accra, Ghana 
Telephone Lines: (+233) – 302-233200/ 235100, (+233) – 0299802932/3 (Hotline) 
0800151000 (Toll free) 
Email: fda@fdaghana.gov.gh

Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) 
Address: P O Box MB245, Accra - Ghana 
Tel : (+233-302) 506991-5 / 500065/6 
Email : gsanep@gsa.gov.gh/gsadir@gsa.gov.gh

Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) 
Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) 
Ministry of Food and Agriculture