Ghana’s rice sector in crisis as local produce goes unsold

Ghana’s domestic rice industry is facing a severe crisis, with over 200,000 tonnes of paddy and milled rice from the last harvest remaining unsold. Farmers are now harvesting a new crop with no market access for the old one, creating a critical situation.

The core issue is the flood of imported rice, which has surged by 77% over four years to 1.1 million tonnes in 2024/2025, according to USDA data.

This foreign rice, often cheaper and better packaged, has caused the price of local rice to plummet by about 50%, severely squeezing farmers’ incomes.

In response, the government has directed the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase the unsold stocks and absorb the upcoming harvest, using public funds and a price committee to ensure fair compensation.

However, industry leaders argue that emergency buys are not a long-term solution.

The Competitive African Rice Platform-Ghana (CARP-Ghana) insists that strong trade policies and a clear preference for local produce are essential.

The country’s strategic goal of rice self-sufficiency, currently hovering around 50%, hinges on its ability to protect and empower its own farmers against the tide of imports.