By Raymond Denteh,

Introduction

Ghana used to be a symbol of self-reliance in poultry production within West Africa. During the 1970s and 1980s, poultry farms throughout the nation provided employment for tens of thousands, with the sector fostering a vibrant network comprising maize and soybean growers, feed manufacturers, veterinary service providers, processors, transportation companies, and shopkeepers. Poultry products were freshly sourced, locally produced, and reasonably priced.

This image underwent significant changes during the 1990s. The removal of trade barriers eliminated the protective tariffs that had previously shielded local Ghanaian chicken farmers. As a result, there was a flood of imported frozen chicken products that the home industry struggled to compete with.

With an influx of inexpensive foreign goods, many farms shut down, employment declined, and the markets for corn and soybeans contracted. Currently, Ghana uses about 400,000 metric tons of chicken each year, yet domestic output meets only under 60,000 metric tons. This shortfall is mostly covered through imports.

The EU’s Dominant Role

Of all Ghana’s trade allies, the European Union has made the greatest impression. Following Russia’s prohibition of EU chicken exports in 2014 and South Africa implementing limitations in 2016 because of bird flu, EU sellers shifted their extra supplies towards West Africa. Ghana, featuring an open marketplace and growing consumer interest, emerged as a top choice.

• Between
  
  2014 and 2020
  
  EU chicken exports to Ghana increased from
  
  56,921 metric tons to 210,313 metric tons
  
  .
• In
  
  January–April 2025
  
  EU exports to Ghana amounted to
  
  59,474 MT
  
  , a
  
  31.3% increase year-on-year
  
  .
• These shipments frequently arrived in Ghana through
  
  $850 per tonne
  
  , far below the
  
  Over $1,600 per metric ton for domestic manufacturing costs
  
  .

The outcome was catastrophic. Ghanian farmers were driven from the marketplace, struggling to match the price of imported frozen chicken, which cost less than raising a live bird locally. The EU’s approach of shielding local producers with tariffs and subsequently exporting surplus pieces—like wings, legs, and breasts—to Ghana exemplifies classic unjust trading practices.

Brazil’s Growing Influence

Brazil has consistently ranked among the top global poultry exporters. Thanks to significant production capabilities, inexpensive feed expenses, and efficient scaling operations, Brazilian poultry firms have set their sights on Africa as a growing market. For Ghana, imports from Brazil pose two main difficulties:

1. 
   Price Competition
   
   Brazilian chicken is one of the most affordable worldwide, frequently selling for less than European products. During periods when the EU imposes trade limits (like during bird flu import bans), Brazilian sellers take advantage to enter the market, adding more instability to Ghana’s chicken industry.
2. 
   Market Substitution
   
   If Ghana manages to limit EU imports effectively without an overall trading agreement, Brazilian chicken might quickly take their place, resulting in little improvement for local farmers. This replacement impact highlights the importance of ensuring Ghana’s controlled trade strategy encompasses…
   
   all key vendors, not only those from the EU
   
   .

Brazil’s effectiveness relies on inexpensive corn and soy produced through its local agricultural business. For Ghana, this underscores the importance of building up its internal feed production. Should Ghana fail to create low-cost feed in large quantities, its farmers will struggle to match Brazilian exports, which have an inherent cost benefit.

The USA’s Impact

The United States also stands as a significant global supplier of poultry products, particularly frozen chicken pieces that hold lower appeal within the domestic market. Similar to the European Union, the U.S. keeps premium portions for local consumption and sells excess sections at reduced prices to countries such as Ghana.

• U.S. chicken shipments to Ghana have increased consistently, especially over the past ten years.
• American businesses involved in exporting gain advantages through robust governmental backing and financial assistance which reduce manufacturing expenses.

The arrival of U.S. chicken has made it even harder for local farms in Ghana to survive. Additionally, American agricultural exports present a regulatory difficulty because they rely on extensive industrial farming methods, which frequently face criticism regarding animal treatment and health safety concerns. Ghana lacks significant influence over setting these standards, making it susceptible to an inflow of inexpensive but substandard poultry products.

China’s Emerging Role

China is an emerging yet growing influence in Ghana’s chicken industry. Being the top global consumer and producer of poultry, China usually imports chickens only during periods of local scarcity. Nevertheless, in recent times, Chinese firms have started looking at African markets not just for purchasing purposes, but also as possible areas for investment.

The influence of China on Ghana may manifest itself in two ways:

1. 
   As an Exporter
   
   China has sometimes diverted poultry to West Africa when there was an excess supply. This introduces yet another player into a highly competitive import market.
2. 
   As an Investor
   
   Chinese agricultural companies have shown interest in investing in chicken farming operations, feed factories, and processing facilities in Ghana. Although this may introduce funding and advanced technologies, it has the potential to push aside domestic investors if not handled properly.

Therefore, China’s increasing involvement brings both chances and dangers. Ghana needs to establish conditions that make sure Chinese investments support but do not overshadow domestic supply networks.

What this means—partner-by-partner

• 
  EU:
  
  Still the
  
  principal
  
  sources of poultry imports into Ghana;
  
  2025
  
  Year-to-date shipments indicate revived expansion. Ongoing European Union excess components (legs, backs, thighs, wings) sold at prices lower than those in Ghana’s national market keep displacing homegrown manufacturing.

  Click to access 0ce25b9f-1571-4310-8531-3fe3346c49e0_en

• 
  Brazil:
  
  Affordable and dependable sourcing; in
  
  2023
  
  it was Ghana’s
  
  #1 non-EU
  
  key supplier based on value remains a significant player in the 2024–2025 trade reports.
  https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/oec-new/overview/#:~:text=The%20Observatory%20of%20Economic%20Complexity%20(OEC)%20is%20the%20world’s%20leading,of%20millions%20of%20interactive%20visualizations
  .
• 
  USA:
  
  Rapid
  
  recent
  
  the growth puts more strain on domestic manufacturers, especially within areas focused on consumers (such as wings/components).
  https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=GHANA+-+Chicken+Me+Out+-+USA+Poultry+and+Egg+Export+Council+-USAPEEC-+Stellar+Training+Program+and+Cooking+Competition_Accra_Ghana_GH2025-0030.pdf&utm_source=chatgpt.com
• 
  China:
  
  Currently
  
  minor
  
  In Ghana’s chicken import composition; no significant presence among top suppliers in 2023, with very low quantities of whole chickens imported.
  https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/poultry-meat/reporter/gha?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Challenges Within and the Effect on Employment

Although international rivalry has severely impacted Ghana’s chicken industry, internal issues have also been significant. Elevated feed expenses (corn and soybean), insufficient animal health care services, inadequate breeding and hatching facilities, along with unaffordable and unsuitable financial support all lead to increased manufacturing costs.

The effect on jobs has been significant:

• In the year 2000, the chicken industry provided support for approximately
  
  120,000 jobs
  
  .
• By 2020, this had dropped below
  
  15,000 jobs
  
  .

This drop has widespread consequences. Feed mills have lost their customer base, corn and soybean growers encounter lower demand, and supporting sectors—including transportation companies and processing firms—are shrinking.

The Necessity of an All-Encompassing Trade Management Strategy

A controlled trading approach does not revolve around protective measures. Instead, it focuses on structuring economic development so that local manufacturers can engage in fair competition. For Ghana, this implies:

• 
  Negotiating Quotas
  
  Working with the European Union, United States, Brazil, and China to gradually lower the amount of chicken exports sent to Ghana.
• 
  Price Controls
  
  Preventing imported goods from being sold at prices lower than their production costs, which harms domestic agricultural producers.
• 
  Gradual Transition
  
  Acknowledging that Ghana will still require imports in the near to intermediate period, yet aiming for these imports to decrease as local production capabilities expand.
• 
  Feed Security
  
  Increasing the cultivation of corn and soybeans to lower the primary expense in chicken raising.
• 
  Attracting Investment
  
  A consistent trading system will encourage investors to back poultry farming operations, hatcheries, manufacturing facilities, processing centers, and fully connected chicken-related businesses.

The Bigger Picture

With effective management, the resurgence of Ghana’s poultry sector can do more than decrease reliance on imported products; it can enhance food stability, generate employment, and boost full supply networks. The corn and soybean sectors stand to gain from consistent market needs, whereas young business owners will find prospects in agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and sales.

Recent research indicates that chicken farming initiatives in Ghana continue to be

economically feasible with returns on investment (ROIs) exceeding 20% per cycle

, despite considering death rates. This shows that the industry can succeed if imports are handled to establish the required marketplace.

Conclusion

The drop in Ghana’s poultry industry isn’t unavoidable—it stems from specific policy decisions made at home and abroad. Implementing an organized trade strategy with the EU, USA, Brazil, and China is essential for turning things around.

Without it, Ghana will continue to be stuck in reliance, keeping domestic manufacturers from accessing their own marketplace. With it, Ghana has the potential to establish a

virtuous cycle of growth

—safeguarding employment, rejuvenating feed grain markets, and making sure that future generations of farmers and businesspeople view poultry farming as a promising venture instead of a field of unsuccessful ventures.

Rebuilding Ghana’s chicken industry demands bravery, foresight, and compromise. It’s high time for structured commerce.

Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).