The government is facing growing pressure to lift the current ban on grain exports, as the country grapples with a food glut.

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector say removing the restriction will benefit everyone along the value chain — especially farmers.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana made the call 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, allow people who have export to export. What government can do is that they put a quota on the amount of rice to be imported every year then they put a quota on soya that we will export, the amount of quota of maize or rice also that we will export. What it does have for us is that it gives the room and allowance to move around,” he added.

Trade Counselor 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 charged 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.

Paul 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.