Sugar cane market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Ghana's sugar cane market volume saw a steady rise from 152.7 thousand tons to 155.6 thousand tons, with growth stabilizing in 2022.

In 2023, production reached 156.2 thousand tons. This increase aligned with test runs at the state-owned Komenda Sugar Factory, aimed at boosting local sugar output, and the initiation of draft sugar policy consultations to support sugarcane plantation development and replace outdated legislation.

For 2024, the Komenda Sugar Factory was slated for commissioning by year's end, and the government's 'made-in-Ghana' campaign promoted domestic sugar production to reduce import reliance, setting the stage for potential market expansion.

Production sugar cane in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Ghana's sugar cane production has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 154.7 K t of sugar cane, marking a slight year-on-year rise of 0.6%.

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

Exports sugar cane from Ghana

Exports in kind, kg

In 2019, Ghana exported 230 kg of sugar cane, which represents a significant decline of 23.9% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada were the primary buyers of Ghana's sugar cane exports in kind, accounting for 38.5%, 35.5%, and 18.8% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 92.8% of all 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, $ US

In 2019, Ghana's sugar cane exports were valued at 354 $ US, showing a sharp increase of 154.9% from the year before.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and the United States dominated Ghana's sugar cane exports in value terms, capturing a combined 86.7% of the total. The remaining exports were distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Ghana

Imports in kind, kg

The market for sugar cane imports into Ghana experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 2 kg, a decline of 99.8% from 2019, while peaking in 2018 at 1 515 kg. This represents a top-to-bottom ratio of 757 times. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 117.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ghana in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain were the main sources of Ghana's sugar cane imports in kind, with shares of 30.1%, 20.1%, and 15.7%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.9% of total imports in kind.

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, $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2020, with Ghana importing sugar cane worth {value_last_year} $ US, a sharp decline of 92.0% from the previous year. In contrast, values peaked in 2018 at 2 393 $ US, resulting in a 68-fold shift between the high and low points. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 1 095.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Italy, and the United States were the leading sources of Ghana's sugar cane imports in value terms, with shares of 38.0%, 36.0%, and 9.7%, respectively. Together, they made up 83.7% 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