Paddy rice market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

Ghana's paddy rice market volume grew consistently from 777 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1.44 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by the government's National Rice Development Strategy, which aimed to achieve self-sufficiency by 2024, and by increasing domestic consumption fueled by population growth and urbanization.

Despite structural challenges such as low fertilizer application and inadequate processing infrastructure, the government's prioritization of the rice sector and engagement with international partners supported production growth. Efforts to promote modern milling and packaging, along with recommendations to enforce quality standards, helped the local industry respond to rising demand.

By 2022, total rice demand approached 1.8 million tonnes, reinforcing the need for local production. The continuous rise in market volume reflected the sector's ability to expand under policy support, even amid consumer preferences for imported rice and market access issues for local paddy.

Production paddy rice in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Paddy rice production in Ghana has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Ghana produced 973.0 K t of paddy rice, marking a moderate 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 407 times. In 2020, Ghana exported 571 t of paddy rice, representing a dramatic increase of 40 633.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at just 1 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 97.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo remained the primary destination for paddy rice exports from Ghana, accounting for 71.3% of total exports in kind, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

The market displayed volatility over the observed timeframe. A 73-fold variation was recorded between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, Ghana exported 52 K $ US of paddy rice, up by 7 213.8% year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 93.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Togo, Niger, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 60.4%, 19.3%, and 12.1% respectively, together representing 91.9% 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 paddy rice to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2018 to 2020, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 975 times. In 2020, Ghana imported 7 t of paddy rice, which is 83.9% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 191 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 3 130.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Nigeria, which accounted for 84.4% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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 showed an unstable trend during the timeframe. Imports changed by a factor of 645 from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2020. In 2020, Ghana's paddy rice imports totaled 6 K $ US, showing a fall of 84.3% year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 678 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 99.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 1 114.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire remained the main suppliers of paddy rice to Ghana, with a combined share of 90.2% of total imports in value terms, and the remainder fragmented across 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