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Tag: grains

  • Rescind decision to ban grain export – Peasant farmers to govt

    Rescind decision to ban grain export – Peasant farmers to govt

    The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government’s recent decision to impose a ban on the export of key grains, including maize, rice, and soybean.

    The association is urging the government to reverse the decision, arguing that the move was taken without proper consultation with key stakeholders.

    The export ban was announced by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, as part of efforts to safeguard food security within the country.

    The minister justified the directive, citing the ongoing dry spell that has severely impacted agricultural production in eight regions, prompting the need for decisive action to protect the nation’s food supply.

    However, in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on August 26, the President of the Peasant Farmers Association, Bismark Owusu Nortey, criticized the government’s approach, describing it as exclusionary.

    He noted that farmers, being major players in the agriculture sector, should have been included in discussions leading to the policy.

    “The first one has to do with the government’s resolve to ban the export of grains. I think that this particular approach – is an approach that was not inclusive. They did not take on board the views, the concerns, and the possible challenges that this might have on farmers,” Nortey said.

    According to him, the failure to involve farmers in the decision-making process overlooks the potential consequences of the ban on the livelihoods of those in the farming community.

    Nortey explained that grain prices are typically dictated by the forces of demand and supply. By halting exports, the surplus grain within the country could lead to a drop in prices, forcing farmers to sell their produce at lower rates just to avoid spoilage.

    “If you are announcing a ban, the ideal thing is to put in place local measures that will insulate the farmers from any possible low prices,” he added.

    Nortey stressed that while food security is important, the government should also consider the economic impact on farmers, who might suffer significant losses as a result of the abrupt policy change.

    He called for the introduction of measures that would prevent local grain prices from plummeting and ensure farmers are not left at a disadvantage due to the export ban.

  • Govt places ban on rice, maize, soya export

    Govt places ban on rice, maize, soya export

    The government has with immediate effect placed a ban on the export of grains including maize, rice, and soya bean, according to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

    According to the sector minister, this directive, effective from now to January 2025 is to check the severe drought that has sparked widespread concerns about food security and the livelihood of thousands of farmers in the northern part of the country.

    The affected regions have been without rain for over two months, with the extended dry spell stunting crop growth and leaving farmers with little hope for a successful harvest

    The Agric Minister during a press briefing today indicated that the affected regions contribute about 62 percent of the country’s grain supply.

    Maize, rice, groundnut, soya beans, sorghum, millet and yam are the most widely affected crops across these regions.

    The government’s directive will ensure the availability of these critical crops on the domestic market.”

    Any farmer with stock interested in selling their grains has been advised to contact the district directorate across the country or the directorate of crops, Ministry of Agriculture.

    Presently, farmers risk losing GHC7.4 billion as a result of potential crop failure due to the dry spell.

  • Wheat imports to surpass 900,000 metric tonnes – Report

    Wheat imports to surpass 900,000 metric tonnes – Report

    The latest annual grain and feed forecast report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates a nearly six percent surge in wheat imports into the United States.

    Projections indicate imports to reach 900,000 metric tonnes, marking an increase from the 850,000 metric tonnes recorded last year.

    The USDA attributes this expected rise in wheat imports to importers’ efforts to bolster their reserves in anticipation of heightened demand spurred by an improving economy.

    Ghana’s annual wheat imports exceed US$230 million, as per data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

    Similarly, the USDA forecasts a slight uptick in total wheat consumption for 2024, expected to reach 850,000 metric tonnes, representing a one percent increase compared to the previous year’s consumption of 840,000 metric tonnes.

    “This is because wheat flour products are popular among Ghanaian consumers, especially by urban dwellers. Bread is a staple consumed by most households. The observed decline in wheat consumption in the preceding year was mainly due to the recent economic hardships,” the report stated.

    The USDA predicts that with the anticipated return to economic stability, wheat consumption will resume its growth trajectory, fueled by population growth and the popularity of wheat flour products among Ghanaian consumers, particularly urban dwellers who consider bread a staple.

    Economic hardships in the past year led to a decline in wheat consumption, according to the report.

    Despite recent declines in inflation rates and food inflation, utility tariffs, high inflation rates, and domestic currency depreciation have reduced disposable income for many Ghanaians.

    However, the decrease in inflation is viewed positively.

    Bread remains a preferred choice for breakfast, especially among lower-income consumers, despite observed increases in flour prices and the stagnant price of bread in the Ghanaian market.

    “Even though a 50kg bag of flour which was sold at GHȼ625 (US$48) in 2023, now selling at retail price of GHȼ600 (US$46), down by four percent, this has not affected the price of bread, which remains unchanged at GHȼ20 to GHȼ25 per 0.70kg loaf,” it said.

    The report highlights that Canada, along with Turkey, France, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Latvia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and China, are the major suppliers of wheat to Ghana, with Canada dominating the market, accounting for over half of the market share.

  • Russia says it will supply up to 500,000 tonnes of grain to poorest countries

    Moscow has said it will supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of grain to poor countries over the next four months, with assistance from Turkey. 

    TASS news agency, citing agriculture minister Dmitry Patrushev, said only 3% of food exported under an UN-brokered deal had gone to the poorest countries and that Western nations accounted for half of all shipments.

    The agreement was signed back in July to release several million tonnes of grain from blockaded Ukrainian ports.

    The World Food Programme said the war in Ukraine has exacerbated a global hunger crisis as the conflict has pushed up the costs of food, fuel, and fertilizers.

    Source: Skynews.com