- poultry, meat, dairy top list
By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE
Imports of key consumer-oriented products into the country reached US$1.25billion last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The amount, though a decrease of about seven percent compared to 2022, the value -USDA asserts – is still worrying as the trend continues to make the economy highly import-dependent.
The data is highlighted in the 2023 USDA – Food Import Annual Report on Ghana, which also stated that the country imported US$133million worth of food ingredients for food processing in 2023.
The top-ten key essential products imported on the list include poultry and meat products, dairy products, vegetable oils, fruit and vegetables, wine and beer, dog-food among others.
These products, according to the report, were imported by top retail outlets including Melcom, China Mall, Shoprite, Maxmart, Marina Mall and Koala.
With externally sourced consumer-oriented products dominating the Ghanaian market, the major source countries, the Department indicated, are the EU, China, Brazil, Canada, Turkey and United States.
Though rapid urbanisation will continue to stimulate an emerging middle-class who embrace western brands, products and lifestyles, the USDA observed that most consumers in Ghana are price-sensitive.
“Despite being steep price averse, quality is never overlooked and the growing middle class values premium products – which is why imports to Ghana will continue to favour American brands,” it said.
Already, the USDA has indicated that Ghana’s growing middle-class has been triggering increases in retail spending.
Last year, the country’s retail spending increased to US$24billion: the retail sector is made up of large supermarkets and hypermarkets, mid-sized grocery stores, convenience stores and smaller independent shops, stalls or kiosks near homes and in open markets.
Though traditional retail channels are preferred over modern ones, largely due lower prices, the Department maintains that modern grocery retailers will continue increasing due to growing urbanisation.
“Ghana offers expanding market opportunities to US importers due to its remarkable record of political stability and relatively liberal import policies. These notable achievements make the country a potential gateway to the larger West African market,” the report said.
Aside from the US$1.25billion spent on essential foods imported in 2023, the country separately imported US$133million worth of ingredients for food processing.
The amount, according to USDA, increased by some 48 percent from the US$89.2million spent on ingredient imports as recorded in 2022.
These ingredients are largely made up of wheat-flour, food additives and spices, food-colouring and sweeteners.
