untapped potential of the vegetable sector in Ghana

Ghana’s horticultural sector holds great promise for farmers, processors, raw material suppliers and investors with the diverse range of vegetables deeply rooted in the country’s cuisine. With the emergence of the middle class, rapid urbanization and a growing population, the demand for high-quality vegetables is increasing, creating ample opportunities for growth and investment.

Despite the diversity of the vegetable sector in Ghana, local farmers struggle to take advantage of opportunities available in the market. They face stiff competition from neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger, particularly in onion and tomato production. Despite the implementation of numerous development interventions over the last decade, good agricultural practices have been slow to be implemented. Moreover, investments in equipment that would significantly increase the quality and efficiency of agricultural production are limited (e.g. small-scale irrigation). Meeting these challenges requires joint efforts from both the public and private sectors, focusing on value chain optimization, quality control and market promotion.

An overview of the vegetable sector in Ghana
Tomatoes and onions are staples in Ghanaian cuisine, but the trading systems for them are quite complex and pose a challenge for potential investment. Onions lack direct prospects, so it seems more promising to look for new ideas in other sectors. Professional tomato production outside Burkina Faso’s main production period, mainly for salad tomatoes, represents a real opportunity in an otherwise limited tomato value chain.

Expanding the export market for fresh and dried peppers appears to be a lucrative opportunity. Additionally, native vegetables such as okra and garden eggs boast competitive advantages, while salad greens have significant growth potential, especially given the growing trend of including salads in meals. Promoting the cultivation and consumption of ‘new vegetables’ (such as zucchini, green beans and butternut) is a promising route to diversifying agricultural production and meeting changing consumer preferences.

More information can be found at agroberichtenbuitenland.nl