Milk market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Ghana expanded from 75 271 t in 2018 to a peak of 97 725 t in 2021, driven primarily by rising imports. Urban households allocated a larger share of their food budget to milk, boosting consumption. In 2021, import volumes surged as global supply chains recovered from COVID-19 disruptions, and new product lines launched by Valio stimulated demand.

After 2021, the market contracted to 76 552 t by 2023. This decline coincided with government import restrictions on milk products low in fat, which reduced import volumes. Additionally, the entry of new plant-based milk brands intensified competition, diverting some consumption away from traditional dairy.

Throughout the period, local milk production grew slowly, hampered by poor cold-chain infrastructure and low microbiological quality perceptions. The state-owned Ghana Dairy Development Programme provided support, but fresh milk remained a small share of the market. Government efforts to boost local production and reduce import reliance continued, though imports remained dominant.

Production milk in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Ghana increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Ghana produced 47 803 tons of milk, marking a 4.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 5.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a minimal decrease of 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of milk output in Ghana was 109.6 million US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 26.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 149.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ghana in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

Ghana exported 4 999 tons of milk in 2020, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 57.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 60.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 4.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Ghana's milk exports in kind were Senegal (accounting for 63.6% of exports), Burkina Faso (13.9%), and Côte d'Ivoire (12.2%). Together, these three countries represented 89.7% of total export flows.

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

Milk export volumes from Ghana increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached 11 456 thousand US dollars, showing a strong improvement of 10.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 513 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 21.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Ghana's milk exports in value terms were Senegal (55.3% of exports), Burkina Faso (21.2%), and Côte d'Ivoire (14.4%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 90.8% 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 to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, foreign milk supplies to Ghana declined. In 2020, imports totaled 38 435 tons, reflecting a robust year-on-year drop of 10.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 977 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 29.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of milk to Ghana in kind were widely dispersed across partner countries. Nigeria (14.7% of imports), Belgium (13.7%), and New Zealand (11.0%) together represented only 39.3% 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

Imported milk volumes to Ghana increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 75 827 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 45.2% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 27.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 52 043 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of milk to Ghana in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. New Zealand (16.2% of imports), Nigeria (12.6%), and Belgium (10.0%) together represented only 38.8% 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