Abstract:
This paper examines the dynamics of the poultry market in Ghana
using secondary data and a field study in four regions, including Greater Accra
region, Western region, Ashanti region, and Northern region. Secondary data on
prices, per capita consumption, imports, and export quantities was obtained from the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (MoFA). Primary data on shopping malls, supermarkets, cold stores,
and open markets, as well as on imported and local chicken meat prices and brands
was also obtained using surveys and focus group discussions. The study employs
trend and content analyses to highlight specific imported products, their origins,
drivers, and the potential of domestic poultry as a substitute for imported chicken
meat. The paper confirms that Ghana imports about 80% of its poultry meat.
mostly in the form of branded cut parts (thighs, wings, legs, back, and offal) from
high-income countries, including Belgium, the US, Brazil, Poland, and the
Netherlands. Despite a 35% increase in tariffs, imported poultry meat tends to be
27–30% cheaper than locally produced chicken. The findings further show that
although there is some preference for domestic poultry meat, this does not translate
into purchase decisions, as people prefer more convenient and ready-to-use
products. The paper recommends the prioritization of policies to boost local
production through investments in processing (cut parts), branded packaging, and
marketing facilities such as cold vans. Furthermore, policies to reduce chicken
meat import volumes may be focused on other non-tariff measures, such as licenses,
allotments, trade embargoes, foreign exchange restrictions, and import
depositories.
