Chamber of Agribusiness urges gov’t to lift grain export ban

Agricultural sector stakeholders are urging the government to lift the current ban on grain exports, saying the move would benefit the entire value chain, with farmers gaining the most.

Their call is supported by the country’s existing food surplus.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana made the appeal on the sidelines of the 7th edition of Agrofood and Plastprintpack Ghana 2025.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Anthony Morrison, said easing export restrictions would boost agricultural trade and open up new market opportunities for farmers.

“There is a restriction order and export ban on grains across board that has been in force since 2024. What the Chamber wants to propose to the government is to find a way to remove the export ban as a result of the glut.

“The same restriction is giving the industry a problem, so what do you do? Remove the restriction, which is the ban, and allow people who have export opportunities to export. What government can do is to put a quota on the amount of rice to be imported every year, then set a quota for soya, maize or rice that we will export. What this does is that it gives us room and flexibility to move around,” he explained.

Trade Counsellor with the Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, Gregor Schneider, also urged industry players to safeguard their innovations through patent protection.

“When you develop a new preservation technique, obviously secure your innovation by a patent,” he told participants.

Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe GmbH & Co. KG, Paul März, on his part, highlighted that exhibitors from 15 countries showcased a range of technologies, products and solutions tailored to the Ghanaian and West African markets.

Participating countries included China, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr März further revealed that Ghana’s food and beverage technology imports rose from €59 million in 2017 to €80 million in 2024, while packaging technology imports reached €49 million last year, according to data from VDMA, the German Machinery Association.

Organised by Fairtrade Messe in partnership with ACE Group and Geovision, the 7th edition of Agrofood and Plastprintpack Ghana 2025 brought together global industry leaders, innovators and policymakers driving the future of agribusiness, food processing, plastics and packaging in West Africa.