Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Ghana, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the wheat and meslin flour and cereals market volume in Ghana experienced considerable volatility. Starting at 414.6 thousand tons in 2018, it contracted to 340.5 thousand tons in 2019 before rebounding strongly to 415.1 thousand tons in 2020 and reaching a peak of 440.5 thousand tons in 2021. This upward trajectory reversed in the following two years, with the market size declining to 411.0 thousand tons in 2022 and falling further to 340.0 thousand tons in 2023.

The market's fluctuations were closely tied to shifts in domestic production and net trade. Domestic production followed a similar pattern of volatility, falling sharply to 264.1 thousand tons in 2023 from a high of 431.7 thousand tons in 2020. Concurrently, imports varied significantly, dropping to a low of 63.1 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering in subsequent years. Exports, which had been a notable outflow, declined steadily after 2019 from 97.7 thousand tons to just 9.0 thousand tons in 2023, increasing the volume retained for domestic consumption.

Preliminary trade data for 2024 shows a continued trend of high import dependency, with imports rising to 123.4 thousand tons while exports remained negligible at 9.3 thousand tons, suggesting the market's reliance on foreign supply persisted.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Ghana's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 431.7 K t, marking a significant 15.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 375.0 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 12.7% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Ghana's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 181.3 M $ US, representing a 14.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 157.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ghana in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Ghana

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Ghana's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2020, exports totaled 82.6 K t, representing a 15.4% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 97.7 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 22.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger were the principal buyers of Ghana's wheat and meslin flour and cereals, accounting for 93.5% of total exports in kind. Togo represented 36.8% of exports, Burkina Faso 32.7%, and Niger 23.9%.

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

Following two years of increase, Ghana's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2020, exports totaled 34 689 K $ US, reflecting a 15.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 41 099 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 35.5% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger together accounted for 95.5% of Ghana's total wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, remaining the main destinations. Togo represented 38.8% of exports, Burkina Faso 30.2%, and Niger 26.6%.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Ghana

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ghana imported 66.0 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, showing a moderate 4.5% increase compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 109.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 138.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 42.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the dominant source for Ghana's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, accounting for 72.0% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Ghana's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals reached 19 212 K $ US, up by 3.4% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 361 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 136.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 47.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey concentrated most of Ghana's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, accounting for 71.3% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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