The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has urged government to implement urgent policy interventions to tackle what it describes as a growing crisis in Ghana’s grains market, where more than 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice, maize, and soya beans reportedly remain unsold in warehouses and on farms across the country.
The Chamber warned that the glut threatens the livelihoods of farmers, aggregators, and processors and could destabilize Ghana’s agricultural value chain if not addressed immediately.
The Chamber is proposing a three-month moratorium on rice imports to enable the local market to absorb the existing surplus.
“We urgently call for an immediate three-month ban on rice importation to clear existing local stockpiles and provide relief to farmers and millers,” the Chamber said.
CAG argued that while Ghana continues to import rice to supplement local consumption, large volumes of locally produced rice remain unsold, largely due to cheaper imports and smuggled, poor-quality rice entering the market through unapproved routes.
The Chamber said these distortions have depressed local prices and discouraged investment in domestic rice production.
The Chamber also called for the repeal of the Export and Import (Restriction on Exportation of Soya Beans) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2432), which restricts the free export of soya beans.
According to CAG, the restriction has led to sharp declines in farm gate prices, leaving farmers with unsold stocks and little incentive to continue cultivation.
“The current policy has made it difficult for farmers to find profitable markets for their produce. Removing this restriction will restore competitiveness and encourage production,” it said.
To restore transparency and market order, the Chamber proposed a coordinated national audit of all rice currently on the market.
It said the audit should involve the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, and national security agencies to verify tax compliance and detect smuggled products.
CAG believes such collaboration would strengthen border surveillance, eliminate illegal trade practices, and protect consumers from substandard imports.
Beyond emergency measures, the Chamber urged government to establish a Strategic Grain Reserve Procurement Programme through the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
Under the initiative, government would purchase surplus grains directly from farmers to stabilize prices, support smallholders, and ensure a steady grain supply for the poultry, livestock, and food processing industries.
“We must safeguard the investments of our local farmers and agribusinesses to build a food-secure and economically resilient Ghana,” the Chamber emphasized.
CAG added that addressing the grain market distortions would not only protect farmers but also support Ghana’s broader food security and industrialization goals.
Ghana imports an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of rice annually, even though local production has been rising steadily. Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have long called for stronger import controls and targeted incentives for domestic producers to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign rice.
The Chamber’s latest proposal adds to growing calls for a more balanced trade policy that protects local farmers while ensuring consumer affordability.
