Maize flour and cereals market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Ghana showed consistent growth from 684 thousand tons in 2018 to 939 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by increased domestic production, supported by government measures such as investments in structuring the maize market and support for smallholder farmers through pilot warehouse trading projects.

A sharp production jump to 865 thousand tons in 2020 was linked to the implementation of national programs like 'One District One Factory' and 'Planting for Food and Jobs', which stimulated the creation of processing facilities and the adoption of improved agricultural practices. These initiatives continued to exert a positive influence in subsequent years, although in 2022 the market faced changes in fertilizer price dynamics, requiring government intervention to secure subsidized supplies for staple crops.

By 2023, production reached 941 thousand tons, even amidst global grain price increases due to production concerns in Europe and supply chain disruptions related to the situation in Ukraine. Studies also highlighted factors like credit access and transport infrastructure as key for the commercialization of maize production. In 2024, drought conditions reduced maize harvests, leading to a significant rise in imports.

Production maize flour and cereals in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Ghana's maize flour and cereals production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 865.4 thousand tons, representing a 24.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 45%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

Ghana's maize flour and cereals exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 560 tons, down 27.8% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 84.2%, with an average annual decrease of 46.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the main destination for Ghana's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms, accounting for 72.0% of total flows. Other markets made up a long tail of smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ghana in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Ghana's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 769.8 thousand US dollars, a 60.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 479.2 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ghana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States (28.0% of export value), Morocco (19.0%), and the Netherlands (16.8%) remained the top buyers of Ghana's maize flour and cereals in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ghana in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 510 tons, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 3 203 tons, representing a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 528.2% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 40.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Turkey together accounted for 80.8% of Ghana's maize flour and cereals imports in volume terms. Other countries formed a diverse but less significant group.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ghana in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance was volatile during this period. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2018 at 660.0 thousand US dollars, with a 2.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 611.7 thousand US dollars, up 95.0% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 52.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 140.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ghana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for Ghana's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms were Belgium (28.5% of import value), Nigeria (27.8%), and Turkey (19.0%). Collectively, these three countries made up 75.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ghana in value, 2017-2020