Ginger shortages push Ghanaian traders to import from China, Morocco

Ghanaian ginger traders are increasingly relying on imports from China and Morocco to meet market demand, as disease outbreaks and limited local production continue to keep prices high.

The traders say the commodity has remained expensive for nearly three years following outbreaks that damaged ginger farms, while rising demand from food and beverage manufacturers and exports to neighbouring countries have further reduced supplies available on the domestic market.

The high prices are also affecting sales, with some consumers cutting back on purchases as the cost of the spice continues to strain household budgets.

Trader Akua Stella attributed the rising prices partly to the growing use of ginger in drinks, toffees and biscuits, as well as the export of locally produced supplies.

“The use of ginger in drinks, toffees and biscuits, as well as the export of locally produced ginger, has contributed to the high prices. This one I am selling is from Morocco. We sometimes buy a sack for GH¢5,000, GH¢4,500 or GH¢5,500. A bucket of ginger now sells for GH¢400, an olonka for GH¢300, while a smaller quantity costs GH¢100,” she said.

According to Stella, although prices have fallen from their peak of GH¢8,000 per sack, the current levels remain burdensome for traders and consumers.

“Ginger prices have remained high over the past three years, but the situation has worsened this year. The price of a sack rose to GH¢8,000. It has now reduced,” she added.

Disease outbreaks disrupt local production

Trader Nimatu Mustapha said the supply challenges began about two years ago when a virus outbreak damaged ginger crops on local farms.

She explained that although traders had been informed that a remedy had been found, fresh harvests had yet to reach the market in sufficient quantities to improve availability and bring prices down.

“The problem started about two years ago when a virus outbreak destroyed ginger crops on local farms. We have not received reports of a similar outbreak this year, as we are told a cure has been found. However, the new ginger harvest is not yet on the market, and we do not expect prices to return to previous levels,” she said.

Mustapha also pointed to competition from buyers in neighbouring Togo, saying they could offer more attractive prices to Ghanaian suppliers because of differences in currency value.

She said Togolese traders turned to Ghana last year after the outbreak affected production in their country, increasing competition for available stocks and making it more difficult for local traders to secure supplies.

“Last year, Togo was also affected by the virus outbreak, forcing traders to source ginger from Ghana. Because the CFA franc is stronger, Togolese buyers can offer better prices, leaving local traders struggling to compete,” she said.

Imports help bridge supply gap

With domestic production yet to recover adequately, traders say imported ginger from China and Morocco has become an important source of supply. Production difficulties in Côte d'Ivoire have also reportedly affected the availability of ginger from that country.

The growing dependence on imports reflects the challenges facing Ghana's ginger supply chain, as traders turn to foreign markets to maintain stocks amid continuing constraints on local production.

Trader Irene Pokua said a sack of ginger currently sells for between GH¢5,000 and GH¢6,000, depending on market conditions, despite the decline from the previous high of GH¢8,000.

“Because ginger is expensive, consumers are no longer buying as they used to,” she said.

The drop in consumer demand has compounded the difficulties facing traders, who must purchase supplies at high prices while customers reduce the quantities they buy.

Traders call for government intervention

The traders are appealing to the government to support local farmers, address the challenges affecting production and improve the availability of locally grown ginger.

Stella said increasing domestic production would help ease shortages, reduce reliance on imported supplies and make the commodity more affordable for consumers.

“If the government supports farmers to increase local ginger production, traders will no longer need to import the product from other countries,” she said.

Traders believe a sustained recovery in local production could improve supply and help stabilise prices. However, they say significant relief is unlikely until fresh ginger harvests reach the market in sufficient quantities.