Ghanaian ginger traders are increasingly importing the commodity from China and Morocco as prolonged supply shortages and high prices continue to affect the local market.
The shortages, attributed largely to disease outbreaks that devastated local ginger farms about two years ago, have kept prices elevated for nearly three years, forcing consumers to cut back on purchases.
Traders say growing demand from food and beverage manufacturers, coupled with exports to neighbouring countries, has further tightened domestic supplies.
Akua Stella, a trader, said the use of ginger in drinks, toffees and biscuits, alongside exports of locally produced supplies, had contributed to rising prices.
“The use of ginger in drinks, toffees and biscuits, as well as the export of locally produced ginger, has contributed to the high prices. This one I am selling is from Morocco,” she said.
She explained that a sack of ginger now sold for between GH¢4,500 and GH¢5,500, while a bucket cost GH¢400, an olonka GH¢300 and a smaller quantity GH¢100. Prices previously peaked at GH¢8,000 per sack before easing.
Another trader, Nimatu Mustapha, attributed the shortages to a virus outbreak that destroyed crops on local farms, saying the latest harvest had yet to reach the market in sufficient quantities.
Although traders had been informed that a remedy had been found, she said supply constraints persisted, making an immediate return to previous price levels unlikely.
Mustapha also cited competition from Togolese buyers, who turned to Ghana for ginger last year after their own production was affected by the outbreak. She said their purchasing power enabled them to offer attractive prices, making it difficult for Ghanaian traders to secure adequate stocks.
With local supplies yet to recover, imports from China and Morocco are helping to fill the gap. Production challenges in Côte d’Ivoire have also reportedly affected supplies from the neighbouring country.
Irene Pokua, another trader, said a sack of ginger sold for between GH¢5,000 and GH¢6,000, depending on market conditions, despite falling from its previous peak.
She said the high prices had reduced consumer demand, with households buying smaller quantities of the spice.
“Because ginger is expensive, consumers are no longer buying as they used to,” she said.
The traders have called on the government to support farmers, tackle crop diseases and boost local production to improve supply, stabilise prices and reduce reliance on imports.
Stella said increased domestic production would help make ginger more affordable and ease pressure on traders and consumers.
“If the government supports farmers to increase local ginger production, traders will no longer need to import the product from other countries,” she said.
Traders believe prices are unlikely to fall significantly until fresh harvests reach the market in sufficient quantities to meet demand.