Ghana is expected to import one million metric tons of rice during the 2025/2026 season, according to the latest annual Grain and Feed report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This figure represents more than half of the country’s total rice demand, despite a notable increase in domestic production.
The report projects that milled rice output will rise by 18 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 900,000 metric tons.
However, consumption is forecast to grow to 1.80 million metric tons, up from 1.75 million, driven by population growth and shifting dietary habits.
Rice has now become Ghana’s second most important cereal after maize, with per capita consumption reaching 51 kilograms.
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The Ghana Meteorological Agency has predicted normal-to-below-normal rainfall and extended dry spells in 2025, raising concerns about crop sustainability and the resilience of farming systems.
Rice prices have also seen dramatic fluctuations. Between March 2024 and January 2025, the average price of a 100kg bag surged from GH¢200 to GH¢650, a 225 percent increase.
Although prices eased to GH¢400 by March 2025, they remained double what they were a year earlier.
Imported rice continues to dominate the market, accounting for 70 percent of sales in Ghana. Major sources include Vietnam, India, and Thailand. Local producers struggle to compete due to higher costs and inconsistent quality.
The USDA report highlights persistent structural challenges such as poor irrigation infrastructure, low levels of mechanisation, and weak processing capacity.
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