Ghana’s Evolving Market: Implications for U.S. Agricultural Exports

Executive Summary

Ghana's economy is rebounding following the 2025 political transition to a newly elected government and peaceful transfer of power, supported by stronger governance, tighter enforcement against illegal mining, and rising exports of precious metals, particularly gold. Inflation has declined sharply, consumer spending power is on the trajectory to grow, and urbanization continues to expand. These developments are reshaping food consumption patterns and increasing demand for imported consumer-oriented products. U.S. agricultural exports to Ghana remain concentrated in poultry and food preparations, with notable opportunities in convenience foods, processed ingredients, consumer-oriented products, beef, wine and spirits, and specialized items aligned with Ghana's evolving retail landscape.

Macroeconomic Outlook

Ghana's economy expanded by 5.6 percent to $242.9 billion in 2024, accelerating from 3.1 percent growth in 2023, driven largely by higher precious metal exports and improved mining sector regulation¹. Inflation declined from 22.9 percent in 2024 to 14.2 percent in 2025, with projections indicating a fall to 5.8 percent in 2026, potentially the lowest in Ghanaian history². Despite these improvements, Ghana remains vulnerable to global commodity price swings. Consumer food prices continue to rise, with domestic products driving the bulk of overall inflation. Imported foods such as wheat flour, vegetable oils, and rice are experiencing slower price growth but remain elevated due to sustained global fuel and shipping costs.

Demographics

Ghana's population is 35.1 million, with 59 percent residing in urban areas³. Euromonitor projects per capita disposable incomes to rise by 8.7 percent in real terms from 2024 to 2029. Ghana's employment increased slightly in 2024, with the unemployment rate at 3 percent⁴. New government policies encourage private sector expansion and diversification in non-oil industries, creating more employment opportunities⁵. Increasing urbanization and rising incomes continue to shape dietary patterns, blending traditional foods with modern, convenience-oriented products. Euromonitor projects food expenditure to be the largest consumer expenditure category in 2029, followed by housing and education.

Market Trends

Ghana's retail food sector is split between low-income consumers relying on informal markets to purchase staple foods and middle-to-upper-income consumers who prefer modern grocery chains for value-added products⁶. Convenience, price sensitivity, and the growing popularity of Western-style foods significantly influence purchasing behavior in urban settings. A growing middle-class sector coupled with busy lifestyles increases demand for more convenience foods, as well as organic and fortified foods for health-conscious consumers⁷.

Prospects for U.S. Exports to Ghana

The United States experienced a 19-percent increase in food and agricultural exports to Ghana in 2025, totaling $169 million. Strong opportunities exist for U.S. poultry, processed foods, beef, wine and spirits, and consumer-oriented products. Poultry remains the largest category, with U.S. exports reaching a record $117.4 million. Despite limited market share in beef and other meats, growing interest from hotels, restaurants, and retailers signals strong potential. Interest in U.S. wine and spirits exports is also growing, though competition from the European Union (EU) and South Africa remains strong.

Beef

U.S. beef and beef product exports to Ghana have decreased significantly, sitting at $10,190 in 2025. These decreases are due to strict veterinary certification requirements by Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority⁸. There has been progress with managing veterinary certifications, as Ghana now allows digital endorsements and is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on reforms⁹. Ghana's global beef imports have continued to rise in recent years, reaching $32.9 million in 2025, driven primarily by EU and Brazilian suppliers. In February 2026, a successful commercial diplomacy outreach by the U.S. Meat Export Federation created a positive market receptiveness for U.S. beef. Many participants expressed strong interest in listing U.S. beef on hotel and restaurant menus, as well as exploring opportunities to carry U.S. meats in upscale retail locations¹⁰.

Poultry

U.S. poultry and poultry product exports expanded to a record $117.4 million in 2025, with most exports consisting of chicken leg quarters, which most consumers prefer. The United States is the third-largest supplier of poultry to Ghana, holding a 23-percent market share. The EU is the top supplier with a 38-percent market share, $194.2 million, and Brazil is the second-largest supplier with a 24-percent market share, $120.7 million.

Wine and Distilled Spirits

U.S. exports of wine and distilled spirits to Ghana totaled more than $600,000 in 2025. Exports were mostly comprised of sparkling wine, vodka, and cordial liqueur. Ghana requires pre-shipment registration of imported alcoholic products. All registrations must go through the Ghana Registrar General's Department and the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). The FDA also enforces labeling laws for alcoholic products at port-of-entry and manufacturing sites¹¹. Ghana's top supplier of wine and distilled spirits is the EU, holding a 62-percent market share, $66.7 million, and India holds second position with a 19-percent market share, $20.2 million.

Consumer-Oriented Products

The United States exported $145.9 million in consumer-oriented products to Ghana in 2025, a 20-percent increase from 2024. The top two exports in this aggregate group are poultry and food preparations at $117.1 million and $20.7 million. The U.S. market share of Ghana's imports of consumer-oriented products was 8 percent, making the United States the fourth-largest supplier in 2025. The top supplier was the EU at $613.5 million (31 percent), followed by China at $276.3 million (14 percent). Currently, Ghana's processing sector cannot keep up with consumer demand for convenience foods. New policies to boost local production bode well for increased imports of U.S. processed ingredient imports¹².

Trade Policy

Ghana is a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the World Trade Organization, and maintains interim economic partnership agreements with the EU and the United Kingdom. Ghana is a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a unilateral U.S. trade preference program that provides duty-free access for eligible African exports entering the United States but does not grant reciprocal tariff reductions for U.S. exports to Ghana. AGOA will expire on December 31, 2026, and a reauthorization determination by Congress could include new provisions to modernize and reform AGOA¹³. U.S. agricultural products (including beef, poultry, grains, and processed foods) enter Ghana via the country's most-favored nation tariff, along with Ghana's standard value-added tax, excise duties, and statutory levies. Conversely, while Ghana receives preferential access to the U.S. market for noncompeting commodities such as cocoa, the United States maintains tariff-rate quotas on sensitive products like beef, sugar, and tobacco¹⁴.

Conclusion

Ghana presents a growing and dynamic market for U.S. agricultural exports. Rising urbanization, expanding consumer spending, and a recovering economy continue to drive demand for imported food products. While price sensitivity and competition remain challenges, U.S. exporters are well positioned to capitalize on opportunities in poultry, processed foods, convenience foods, and premium consumer goods.

¹ World Bank Group data; link. PPP 2021 constant international dollar amount. International Comparison Program.

² International Monetary Fund; link.

³ World Bank Group data; link. United Nations Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects.

⁴ World Bank Group data; link. ILO Modelled Estimates database, International Labour Organization.

⁵ Ministry of Finance, Ghana; link.

⁶ GAIN, Ghana: Retail Foods Annual, November 2025. Report GH2025-0037; link.

⁷ GAIN, Ghana: Food Processing Ingredients Annual, March 2026. Report GH2026-0012; link.

⁸ Office of the United States Trade Representative; link.

⁹ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; link.

¹⁰ GAIN, USMEF and FAS Accra Serve Up Tasty American Beef from Nebraska - Ghana's Chefs and Restauranteurs Want More American Beef, February 2026. Report GH2026-0003; link.

¹¹ GAIN, Ghana FDA's Import Labeling and Registration Requirements for Wine and Alcoholic Spirits - Products Containing Alcohol, December 2025. Report GH2025-0045; link.

¹² GAIN, Ghana: Food Processing Ingredients Annual, March 2026. Report GH2026-0012; link.

¹³ Office of the United States Trade Representative; link.

¹⁴ GAIN, Ghana Tax Reforms of 2026 - Impact on US-origin Food and Agricultural Products Imports and Ghanaian Consumer Prices, February 2026. Report GH2026-0002; link.