Rice is one of the most widely consumed foods in Ghana. Whether it’s eaten as jollof rice, waakye, or just plain steamed, it has become a daily essential for millions of people. It’s evident that rice consumption in Ghana is meant to keep increasing, however, as the country’s population grows (Ghana it’s expected to hit 52 million by 2050), demand for rice will continue to increase, pushing the country to heavily depend on imported rice.
Keep reading to explore the challenges and factors impacting domestic rice production in Ghana and why local production it’s struggling.
Ghana’s Growing Reliance on Imported Rice
As per the report of the Foreign Agriculture service, as of 2025, Ghana continues to import a significant portion of its rice to meet domestic demand. In the 2024/2025 marketing year, rice imports are projected to reach 950,000 metric tons, a 20% increase from the previous year. This surge is primarily due to drought-induced reductions in local rice production.
The Challenges Facing Ghana’s Rice Sector
So, why does Ghana struggle to produce enough rice locally despite the high demand? What are the obstacles, and how are some Ghanaian rice brands working to change the narrative?
Heavy Competition from Imported Rice
Countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, India, and the United States export large quantities of rice to Ghana.
One of the biggest challenges facing Ghana’s local rice industry is the strong competition from imported rice. Imported rice is often sold at a lower price than locally produced varieties, making it more attractive to consumers.
Beyond pricing, many Ghanaians prefer imported rice because of its polished appearance, uniform grain size, and longer shelf life. Imported brands also benefit from effective branding, marketing, and strong distribution networks, ensuring that their products are always available in supermarkets, shops, and markets across the country.
On the other hand, Ghanaian rice has often been associated with quality issues, such as stones, husks, and inconsistent grain sizes. These problems have discouraged consumers from buying locally produced rice, reinforcing the dominance of imported brands.
Processing and Milling Challenges
A few modern rice mills exist, but their capacity is not enough to process all the rice grown in Ghana.
While Ghana produces a significant amount of rice, processing remains a major issue. Many local rice mills use outdated and inefficient equipment, resulting in poorly processed rice. Some locally milled rice contains broken grains, foreign particles, and inconsistent textures, making it less appealing to consumers who are used to the polished appearance of imported rice.
Poor Infrastructure and High Transportation Costs
Most of Ghana’s rice is produced in the Northern, Upper East, and Volta regions, where road networks are poor and transportation is costly. Farmers often struggle to transport their rice from farms to mills and markets, leading to delays, high expenses, and post-harvest losses.
Unlike imported rice, which arrives at Ghana’s ports through efficient global supply chains, local rice must navigate through a weak transportation system, making it less competitive in terms of pricing and availability.
In addition, the lack of proper storage facilities means that a significant portion of harvested rice deteriorates before it can be processed or sold. Without improved infrastructure, Ghanaian farmers will continue to face unnecessary losses.
Limited Access to Finance for Farmers and Millers
Most rice farmers in Ghana are small-scale producers who struggle to secure loans and financial support. Agriculture is considered a high-risk sector by banks and financial institutions due to factors like climate change, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating market prices.
Without access to affordable credit, farmers cannot invest in better seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, or modern farming equipment—all of which are essential for improving rice yields.
Similarly, rice millers lack funding to upgrade their processing facilities, which keeps them from competing with foreign rice brands. In contrast, international rice exporters have access to government subsidies, advanced technology, and large-scale investments, giving them a significant advantage over local producers.
Low Consumer Confidence and Perception of Quality
Many Ghanaian consumers still perceive local rice as lower in quality compared to imported brands.
Complaints about stones, husks, and short-grain varieties have shaped negative consumer attitudes, even though modern local rice brands are improving in quality.
Perception plays a huge role in purchasing decisions. Even when local rice is processed to high standards, many Ghanaians still assume that imported rice is better.
High Cost of Production
Compared to imported rice, locally produced rice is often more expensive due to high production costs. The price of fertilizers, irrigation, labor, and transportation significantly impacts the final cost of local rice.
Farmers in countries like Thailand and Vietnam benefit from advanced mechanization, government subsidies, and large-scale production, which reduces their overall costs. Ghanaian farmers, on the other hand, still rely on traditional farming methods, manual labor, and limited irrigation, making their rice more costly to produce.
Promising Local Rice Brands Changing the Narrative
Some Ghanaian rice brands are making significant progress in improving quality and competing with imported rice. These brands are focusing on modern milling, branding, and aggressive marketing to change consumer perceptions.
Brown rice
Aseda Rice
Aseda Rice is available in various varieties, including white, brown, and premium options. The brand has gained popularity among consumers for its superior quality and rich nutritional value. Aseda Rice is distributed through various retail outlets across Ghana, including major supermarkets and local markets.
For More info check Trolley Market Group instagram handle
Nana’s Rice
The story behind Nana’s Rice is quite a read. After completing his studies in information systems in the United States, Nana Owusu-Achau chose to return to Ghana to contribute to his homeland’s development. In 2017, he ventured into agriculture, initially experimenting with cattle-rearing and maize farming.
These early endeavors faced challenges, but a pivotal moment occurred when a local chief introduced him to high-quality rice cultivated by smallholder farmers. Recognizing the potential, Owusu-Achau decided to focus on rice production, providing farmers with financing, seeds, and training to enhance quality.
Nana’s Rice is available in various packaging sizes, including 1kg and 5kg bags. Now available in over 200 convenience stores in Accra. Its reach extends internationally, with distribution in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany.
Lilo Rice
Lilo Long Grain Perfume Rice is a premium rice brand introduced by Ghanaian dancehall musician Stonebwoy in October 2022. The brand emphasizes its Ghanaian origin, highlighting that the rice is “homegrown and packaged right here in Ghana,” ensuring freshness from farm to plate.
Stonebwoy has actively promoted Lilo Rice through various media channels, including a commercial featuring his family. The campaign emphasizes the brand’s commitment to quality and its Ghanaian roots.
Watch Lilo’s Rice commercial:
