Milk and cream market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Ghana's milk and cream market grew from 49,670 t to 54,200 t, even as local production faced persistent challenges from low-yielding cattle breeds and inadequate dairy farming support. Urbanization and rising consumer demand for dairy products helped drive the market, while a shift toward packaged and processed milk—favored for its longer shelf life—boosted consumption. Government initiatives to enhance domestic output further contributed to the production increase during this period.

Between 2021 and 2022, market volume experienced a slight contraction to 52,904 t, despite steady growth in domestic production. This coincided with increased competition from new brands and the emerging popularity of plant-based dairy alternatives, which began drawing consumer interest away from traditional milk powder. At the same time, supermarkets expanded their offerings, improving accessibility, while consumer focus on organic and locally sourced products supported ongoing efforts to raise local milk output.

By 2023, the market recovered to 54,845 t, with production reaching 50,461 t. The plant-based dairy segment gained noticeable traction, appealing to sustainability-conscious consumers, while major players like Nestlé and FrieslandCampina intensified competition. Regulatory developments also shaped the landscape, as Ghana prepared to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods, reinforcing stricter labeling enforcement that had been in place since 2018.

Production milk and cream in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Milk and cream production in Ghana has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Ghana produced 47,803 tons of milk and cream, marking a 4.9% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The most stable year was 2018, with no significant change in output.

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

Exports milk and cream from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. From 2018 to 2020, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough difference of 578 times. In 2020, Ghana's milk and cream exports dropped sharply to just 1 ton, a 78.1% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 502 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 99.2% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 1,582.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ghana's export market for milk and cream was highly concentrated, with Burkina Faso accounting for 93.2% of all exports in kind.

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

Ghana's milk and cream exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 1,000 US dollars, reflecting a 47.2% year-on-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 99.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -79.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Ghana's milk and cream exports in value terms were directed to Togo, which accounted for 93.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Ghana's milk and cream imports rebounded in 2020. Import volume reached 6,397 tons, representing a significant 52.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 17.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,192 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Ghana's milk and cream imports in kind were Belgium (35.5% of imports), France (21.3%), and Germany (9.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 66.1% of total import flows.

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

The market exhibited notable volatility during these years. Import values peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Ghana's milk and cream import value stood at 6,033,000 US dollars, up by 124.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2,692,000 US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, three key markets—Belgium, France, and Nigeria—dominated Ghana's milk and cream imports in value terms, collectively representing 63.1% 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