In February 2024, food inflation stood at 28.7%, raising concerns among households already grappling with rising food costs. Over the year, price movements were volatile, peaking at 29.6% in March and dipping to a low of 19.1% in August before rebounding to 28.3% in January 2025.
As of February 2025, food inflation stood at 28.1%, reflecting a 1.1 percentage point increase year-on-year, underscoring the persistent challenge of food affordability.
However, while food inflation has remained high, non-food inflation has followed a relatively different trajectory. As of February 2025, non-food inflation stands at 18.8%, significantly lower than the 28.1% recorded for food. Non-food inflation peaked at 23.6% in May 2024, but since then, it has gradually declined.
For many Ghanaians, relief at the markets remains elusive as the cost of staple foods, plantain, rice, maize, cooking oil, and vegetables continues to rise. The sustained nature of food inflation points to deeper systemic issues, including broader economic instability, exacerbating financial strain on households, particularly those with lower incomes.
Food prices have not only remained elevated but have also been more volatile, with some of the highest monthly increases recorded in mid-2024. In June 2024 alone, food prices surged by 5.1%, the largest monthly jump during the period, while non-food prices have seen steadier, more moderate increases.
For many farmers, the challenges of food inflation are compounded by deeper structural issues that threaten their very livelihoods. Erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rainfall continue to disrupt farming cycles, making it increasingly difficult to plan for planting and harvesting seasons. The result? Lower yields, higher food prices, and growing food insecurity.
Beyond climate-related issues, farmers face significant financial and logistical hurdles. Rising input costs, especially for fertilizers, seeds, and equipment, are straining farm operations, while limited access to affordable credit prevents many from modernizing their agricultural practices.
Another growing concern is the encroachment of farmlands by illegal miners. Farmers across the country lament the destruction of fertile land and the pollution of water sources, which have made farming in some regions nearly impossible.
Additionally, many feel neglected by agricultural policies that often fail to address their most pressing needs, including subsidy delays and inadequate representation in policy decisions.
Nonetheless, the government has pledged to address these issues through measures aimed at improving agricultural productivity, stabilizing food prices, and supporting farmers with better infrastructure and resources. These compounding factors are not just affecting farmers, they are tightening food supply chains and pushing prices even higher.
