Ginger prices soar 102.5% as food inflation shows sharp contrasts in June

Ginger recorded the highest price increase among consumer goods in Ghana in June 2026, with its cost more than doubling over the past year, even as the prices of several staple food items fell sharply.

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the Ghana Statistical Service showed that ginger registered an annual inflation rate of 102.5 percent, making it the fastest rising item in the consumer basket.

Shrimps followed with an annual inflation rate of 90.8 percent, while mangoes recorded 87.2 percent. Other food items that experienced significant price increases included bananas at 47.8 percent, avocado pears at 43.8 percent and fresh coconuts at 39.3 percent.

The report also identified ginger as one of the largest contributors to Ghana's overall inflation, accounting for 7.0 percent of headline inflation. Bus and trotro fares remained the biggest contributor at 10.5 percent, followed by rent payments at 8.4 percent and secondary school fees at 7.2 percent.

Despite the increases in some food items, several staples became considerably cheaper during the period.

According to the Statistical Service, kontomire recorded the steepest annual price decline at 38.0 percent, followed by garden eggs at 33.1 percent, maize at 32.1 percent, millet at 23.0 percent, pawpaw at 22.4 percent and beans at 21.3 percent.

The contrasting price movements came as food inflation rose slightly to 3.9 percent in June from 3.3 percent in May. However, food accounted for only 31.5 percent of headline inflation, while non food items contributed 68.5 percent, indicating that inflationary pressures were more pronounced outside the food category.

Summarising the trend, the Ghana Statistical Service stated, “Food rose, but is not the main driver,” noting that although food inflation increased to 3.9 percent year on year, it contributed 31.5 percent of headline inflation.

The report added that “Ginger was highest at +102.5%; Kontomire lowest at -38.0%.”

Overall, Ghana's year-on-year inflation increased to 5.3 percent in June from 3.7 percent in May. However, monthly inflation slowed to 0.2 percent, suggesting that while prices continued to rise, the pace of increases moderated during the month.