Ghana spent more than GH¢36.46 billion importing food products in 2025, underscoring the country’s continued dependence on foreign supplies to meet domestic demand for key food commodities, according to the latest Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The report highlights that processed cereal grains, frozen chicken, animal products and rice accounted for a significant share of the country’s food import bill, despite ongoing efforts to boost local agricultural production and promote import substitution.
According to the GSS report, processed cereal grains emerged as Ghana’s largest food import in 2025, with imports valued at GH¢2.94 billion, representing 8.1% of the total food import bill.
Frozen chicken ranked as the second-largest food import, costing the country GH¢2.84 billion during the year.
The third-largest category was animal guts, bladders and stomachs, which were imported at a total value of GH¢2.72 billion.
Rice continued to feature prominently among Ghana’s food imports, reflecting its importance in the country’s consumption patterns.
The report shows that:
- Semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports were valued at GH¢2.39 billion.
- Broken rice imports amounted to GH¢1.19 billion.
Combined, the two rice categories accounted for more than GH¢3.5 billion in imports during 2025.
Other major food imports included:
- Sugar
- Frozen fish
- Palm oil
- Mangoes
- Shea nuts
Overall, processed cereal grains, frozen chicken, animal products and rice together accounted for 30% of Ghana’s total food import expenditure.
The latest figures underscore Ghana’s continued reliance on imported food products, even as the government pursues policies aimed at increasing domestic food production including Nkoko Nkitinkiti to redue dependence on foreign markets.
The report suggests that while agricultural output has expanded in some areas, local production has yet to fully satisfy demand for staple foods and protein products consumed across the country.
