Poultry meat and offal market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Ghanaian poultry market contracted as a government increase in import tariffs to 35% and ongoing partial import restrictions due to avian influenza outbreaks reduced import volumes. Domestic production rose during this period, supported by initiatives like the USDA Ghana Poultry Project aimed at improving competitiveness, but this growth was insufficient to offset the import decline, leading to a market size reduction from 327 thousand metric tons to 290.5 thousand metric tons.

The market expanded sharply to 413.7 thousand metric tons in 2020, primarily driven by a surge in imports despite slowed domestic production growth due to COVID-19 disruptions and rising feed costs. The following year, stricter control over import permit issuance and the launch of the Better Chicken for a Better Future project to support small-scale farmers contributed to a steep drop in imports, pulling the market size down to 241.5 thousand metric tons in 2021.

Between 2022 and 2023, import volumes recovered strongly despite persistent tariff and non-tariff barriers, influenced by consumer preference for imported chicken due to its convenience and price. Concurrently, domestic production increased to 146.4 thousand metric tons in 2023, supported by government programs distributing millions of day-old chicks and new loan facilities for value chain actors. This resulted in a market size stabilization around 378-390 thousand metric tons, with imports continuing to rise into 2024, reaching 330.7 thousand metric tons.

Production poultry meat and offal in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Ghana's poultry meat and offal production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 130 830 tonnes, down 4.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.5%, averaging an annual increase of 2.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 137 554 tonnes, which also marked the largest annual increase of 11.8%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Ghana

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ghana exported 0.1 thousand tonnes of poultry meat and offal, a dramatic increase of 65 352.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 109 766%, with an annualized growth rate of 931.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire dominated Ghana's poultry exports in volume, together accounting for 89.1% of total flows, while the remaining share went to other destinations.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Ghana's poultry meat and offal exports were valued at 0.1 million US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 72 254.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 82 246.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 837.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire and Italy were the primary markets for Ghana's poultry exports in value terms, together making up 83.4% of total flows, with other markets contributing the remainder.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Ghana

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years, with a 1.9-fold difference between the lowest point in 2017 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 282.9 thousand tonnes, up 85.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 25.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the United States, and the Netherlands were the leading sources for Ghana's poultry imports in volume, with shares of 33.0%, 20.9%, and 14.7%, respectively, totaling 68.6% of all imports.

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, M $ US

Market performance fluctuated noticeably during this period, with a 3.3-fold variation between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, imports amounted to 254.8 million US dollars, a steep year-on-year increase of 230.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 77.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 40.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the United States, and the Netherlands were the key sources for Ghana's poultry imports in value terms, accounting for 25.3%, 23.3%, and 17.3% of total flows, respectively, with a combined share of 66.0%.

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

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