Ghana’s love for bread is set to keep its wheat imports high, even as global prices dip. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain and Feed Annual 2025 Report, the country produces no wheat domestically, making it entirely reliant on imports to satisfy the growing appetite of its urban and rural consumers alike. This dependence places wheat at the center of both food security concerns and household budgets.
Imports are projected to reach 1 million metric tons in marketing year (MY) 2025/2026, up from 950,000 MT in the previous year. The rise reflects not only population growth and urbanization but also improved economic conditions, which are allowing Ghanaians to return to normal consumption patterns after periods of high inflation.
Bread dominates wheat consumption, particularly for urban lower-income households, while pastries, biscuits, and pasta are steadily gaining ground. With per capita wheat consumption at 24 kg per year, demand is clearly set to rise further.
Yet the timing is somewhat fortunate. Checks by The High Street Journal shows that global wheat prices have recently fallen, with wheat trading at $498.78 per bushel on Thursday, August 28, 2025, down nearly 5% from last year. The stronger cedi, with interbank rates around GH¢11.05 per dollar, further reduces local currency costs for importers.
While these shifts may temporarily ease the cost of imports, rising volumes mean that Ghana’s overall wheat import bill is likely to remain high, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to global price swings.
The report highlighted that Ghana’s domestic milling sector is adjusting to these trends. Four major mills, operating at roughly 60% capacity, are blending hard and soft wheat to meet demand. Hard wheat continues to dominate bread production, ensuring the soft, fluffy loaves consumers expect, while soft wheat is increasingly used for cakes and pastries. Flour is packaged in a range of sizes, from 2 kg to 50 kg, and distributed through direct sales, contracts, and wholesale outlets, reflecting a sector striving to keep pace with changing consumer tastes.
At the same time, Ghana is strategically rebuilding its wheat stockpiles, projected to reach 360,000 MT in MY 2025/2026, up from 197,000 MT just two years earlier. This buffer is critical in cushioning the country against supply shocks or sudden price spikes in the global market. Exports remain minimal, mostly consisting of processed wheat products sent to neighboring West African countries, emphasizing that Ghana’s wheat story is overwhelmingly about domestic consumption.
While falling global wheat prices and a slightly stronger cedi offer short-term relief, the combination of population growth, urbanization, and improving economic conditions suggests that Ghana’s wheat demand, and its import bills will continue to rise. Bread remains the staple, but increasing consumption of pastries, pasta, and other wheat-based foods signals a market in transition, one that requires careful planning by both government and millers to ensure affordability, supply stability, and food security.
