Millet market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in Ghana grew significantly from 183 thousand tons in 2018 to 236 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by state intervention through the Planting for Food and Jobs campaign, which improved farmer support and market access. A key demand driver was the National Food Buffer Stock Company purchasing over 1,100 tons of millet in 2018 to supply schools, directly boosting market volume. The introduction of new, bird-resistant and climate-adapted millet varieties by the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute in 2020 further supported production growth by enhancing yields and resilience.

Market volume contracted to 191 thousand tons in 2021. It then began a recovery, reaching 197 thousand tons in 2022 and jumping to 244 thousand tons in 2023. The rebound was supported by ongoing promotion of stress-resilient millet varieties and enabling government policies aimed at improving local crop production. A major boost came in 2023 with new investment pledges of over US$13 million into agriculture to address productivity and market access for smallholders, alongside global advocacy highlighting millet's role in food security and sustainable farming.

Production millet in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ghana ranked 17th globally in millet production.

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Millet production in Ghana grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 236.0 thousand tons of millet, marking a modest increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 44.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

Exports millet from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 33-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Ghana exported 68 tons of millet, representing a sharp decline of 24.1% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 89 tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 926.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (53.3% of export volume), the United Kingdom (13.3%), and Burkina Faso (13.3%) dominated Ghana's millet export structure, together accounting for 80.0% of total 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

Millet exports from Ghana increased in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 95.1 thousand US dollars, a substantial rise of 121.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 2 805.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 207.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the primary buyer of millet from Ghana, accounting for 79.7% of total export value, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports millet to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 275-fold gap between these years. In 2020, millet deliveries to Ghana totaled 5 tons, down by 98.6% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 264 tons, and the largest year-on-year increase also occurred in 2018 at 34.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso played the leading role in Ghana's millet imports by volume, with a share of 72.1% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

Ghana's millet import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2.6 thousand US dollars, which is 98.6% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 99.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 82.3%.

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

In 2017-2020, two leading markets—Senegal and Burkina Faso—together accounted for 96.8% of Ghana's total millet import value, with the remaining volume spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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