Agriculture

    Ghana spends GHS 2.1 billion on tomato imports annually

    Ghana's reliance on imported tomatoes and ginger highlights significant agricultural production gaps and foreign exchange drain.

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    Ghana spends GHS 2.1 billion (US$168 million) annually on fresh and processed tomato imports. The country's dependence on imported ginger has also surged beyond 99% following a disease outbreak. These figures, presented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), reveal Ghana's substantial reliance on foreign horticultural commodities. This significant import bill stems from a large production gap in domestic agriculture. Ghana's annual demand for fresh and processed tomatoes exceeds 1.4 million metric tonnes, but local production meets only 15% to 18% of this need. Fresh tomato imports, primarily from Burkina Faso, cost GHS 225 million (US$18 million) annually. Processed tomato imports, mainly from China and Europe, add another GHS 1.875 billion (US$150 million) to the import bill each year. This situation contributes to Ghana's broader economic challenges, including foreign exchange pressure and trade imbalances. The country's agricultural sector, despite vast arable land, struggles with low yields and insufficient investment. This reliance on imports diverts crucial foreign currency that could otherwise support domestic industries or infrastructure development. Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR Crop Research Institute, highlighted the severity of the issue. He stated that more than 85% of tomato seeds planted in Ghana are commercial hybrid seeds, increasing production costs for farmers. Dr. Osei warned, “A country that imports its seed will always import its food,” underscoring the long-term implications of this dependence. The ginger sector faces an even more critical situation. Ghana's ginger demand grew from 18,000 tonnes in 2020 to between 30,000 and 32,000 tonnes in 2025. However, a bacterial wilt outbreak in 2022 decimated domestic production, pushing import dependence above 99%. Ghana now spends approximately GHS 6.25 million (US$500,000) annually on ginger imports, mainly from China, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. The supply disruption has also caused a dramatic increase in ginger prices. A sack of ginger that cost GHS 250 in 2022 surged to GHS 4,000 in 2025, and reached GHS 6,000 or more by the time of the recent webinar. This price volatility directly impacts consumers and local businesses, adding to inflationary pressures within the economy. CSIR researchers propose several strategies to address these challenges. These include developing disease-resistant varieties, providing disease-free planting materials through tissue culture, strengthening disease surveillance, and improving farmer extension services. They also advocate for greater investment in certified seed production, irrigation, soil improvement, mechanisation, and protected cultivation. To further bolster the sector, Dr. Osei has proposed establishing a Tomato Board by 2028 and a dedicated Horticultural Research Institute by 2030. These institutions would coordinate research, seed development, processing, financing, and market integration. The ultimate goal is to transform Ghana's agricultural potential into commercially viable production, thereby reducing the import bill, strengthening local value chains, and retaining more foreign exchange within the economy. This strategic shift is crucial for Ghana's long-term economic stability and food security.

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