Ghana's annual import bill for tomatoes alone exceeds US$230 million, while ginger imports cost US$500,000 annually, according to researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). These significant expenditures highlight severe shortfalls in local production and an increasing reliance on foreign markets for essential food items.
The country's national demand for fresh and processed tomatoes surpasses 1.4 million metric tonnes each year. However, local production only meets 15 to 18 per cent of this requirement, creating an annual supply deficit of approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes. This gap forces Ghana to import large quantities of tomatoes, primarily from Burkina Faso for fresh produce and from China and Europe for processed varieties.
This situation underscores deeper issues within Ghana's agricultural sector, including weak seed systems, limited irrigation infrastructure, and poor soil health. Disease pressure, such as the bacterial wilt that devastated ginger crops, and insufficient investment in horticultural research further exacerbate these problems. The reliance on imports also impacts Ghana's trade balance and food security.
Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, Principal Research Scientist and vegetable breeder at the CSIR Crop Research Institute, stated, “A country that imports its seed will always import its food.” He emphasized that Ghana's average tomato yield remains low, between seven and 10 tonnes per hectare, despite having over 400,000 hectares of suitable land. This contrasts sharply with potential yields of 20 to 80 tonnes under improved varieties and better management.
To address these challenges, the CSIR proposes a multi-faceted recovery framework. This includes rapid evaluation of existing crop varieties, production of certified seeds, and extensive training programs for farmers. The establishment of solar-powered boreholes and improvements in soil quality are also crucial. Decision-makers will need to consider these recommendations to reduce the import burden and strengthen local agricultural capacity. The proposed creation of a Tomato Board by 2028 and a dedicated Horticultural Research Institute by 2030 aims to coordinate research, seed development, processing, financing, and market integration.
The ginger sector faces an even more critical situation. National demand for ginger rose from 18,000 tonnes in 2020 to between 30,000 and 32,000 tonnes in 2025. However, a bacterial wilt outbreak in 2022, locally known as the “ginger killer,” caused production to collapse from 102 tonnes to roughly 10 tonnes. This catastrophic decline has left Ghana more than 99 per cent dependent on imported ginger, mainly from China, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.
The supply shock has led to a dramatic increase in ginger prices. A sack of ginger, which cost about GHS 250 in 2022, surged to GHS 4,000 in 2025 and reached GHS 6,000 or more at the time of the webinar. This price volatility significantly impacts consumers and businesses relying on ginger. The disease is soil-borne and cannot be chemically treated once a crop is infected, highlighting the need for preventative measures and resilient farming practices.
The CSIR's recovery plan for ginger includes developing disease-resistant varieties and promoting sustainable farming methods. Addressing these agricultural shortfalls is vital for Ghana's economic stability and food independence. The government and private sector must collaborate to implement the proposed interventions, ensuring long-term food security and reducing reliance on costly imports.