Ghana: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Ghana

The Ghanian maize market contracted to $X in 2022, shrinking by -9.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a prominent expansion. Maize consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Maize Production in Ghana

In value terms, maize production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of maize in Ghana amounted to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. Overall, the yield indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize yield decreased by -1.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 24%. The maize yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of maize were harvested in Ghana; which is down by -7.7% compared with 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production attained the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports from Ghana

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of maize decreased by -18.4% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 1,253%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

In value terms, maize exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 669% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Niger (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons) were the main destinations of maize exports from Ghana, with a combined 94% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Canada, which accounted for a further 1.7%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +62.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Niger ($X) remains the key foreign market for maize exports from Ghana, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Togo ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Niger amounted to +63.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Togo (+16.1% per year) and Burkina Faso (-3.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 110% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Niger (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports into Ghana

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of maize, when their volume decreased by -37.3% to X tons. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 634% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 334%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) was the main maize supplier to Ghana, with a 90% share of total imports. Moreover, maize imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malawi (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina stood at +3.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malawi (-20.7% per year) and South Africa (-7.9% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of maize to Ghana, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malawi ($X), with a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina stood at +2.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malawi (-15.2% per year) and South Africa (-7.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average maize import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 177% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+6.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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