Rice market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

Ghana's rice market volume grew from 1 599 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2 012 thousand tonnes in 2019. This surge was primarily driven by the suspension of the benchmark value policy, which lowered import duties and flooded the market with imported rice, while domestic production also expanded due to government and private sector investments in modern milling facilities and the emergence of integrated mills with outgrower schemes.

The market contracted to 1 727 thousand tonnes in 2020, influenced by global economic factors such as world oil prices that affected import costs. Recovery followed in 2021, with the market reaching 2 066 thousand tonnes, supported by continued technological upgrading in the milling segment and the promotion of climate-smart rice varieties, which boosted local output. Through 2022 and 2023, the market stabilized around 2 065 thousand tonnes as rising domestic production, aided by the Ghana Commodity Exchange enhancing market transparency, offset declining imports, despite persistent consumer preference for imported rice.

Structural challenges like low farmer access to finance and post-harvest handling inefficiencies persisted throughout the period. However, the introduction of new high-yielding, disease-tolerant seed varieties and ongoing efforts to improve irrigation and market linkages indicated a gradual strengthening of the local rice sector's competitiveness.

Production rice in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Ghana's rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 973.0 K t of rice, marking a 5.2% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 34.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.5%.

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

Exports rice from Ghana

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, representing a 40-fold increase. In 2020, Ghana exported 1 K t of rice, which is 3 881.6% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 72.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire were the main buyers of rice from Ghana, accounting for 39.2%, 30.3%, and 10.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.0% of Ghana's total rice 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, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values fell to their lowest point in 2019 and reached their peak in 2020, showing a 61-fold amplitude. In 2020, Ghana exported 0.2 M $ US of rice, up by 5 983.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018, with a decrease of 76.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Benin, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire accounted for the largest share of Ghana's rice exports in value terms, with 57.0%, 15.2%, and 11.7%, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 83.9% 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 rice to Ghana

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Ghana's rice import volumes declined. In 2020, imports totaled 755 K t, down by 30.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 087 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 31.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand remained the main sources for Ghana's rice imports in kind, jointly accounting for 83.7% of total flows, while other partners contributed the remaining share.

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

In 2020, the value of Ghana's rice imports was 397.8 M $ US, indicating a 6.1% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 374.9 M $ US, and the maximum value was in 2018 at 451.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 12.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand remained the primary suppliers of rice to Ghana in value terms, with a combined share of 86.3% of total imports, and other countries making up the remainder.

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

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