Ghana spends about $350m yearly on poultry imports, Agric Minister says
- Eric Opoku said Ghana spends about US$350 million annually on poultry imports.
- The minister said reducing imports could support jobs and domestic poultry production.
- The next Nkoko Nkitinkiti phase is intended to support medium-scale poultry farmers to expand.
Ghana spends approximately US$350 million each year on poultry imports, according to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku.
Speaking about the outlook for the poultry industry beyond the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme, Mr Opoku said the level of imports places pressure on the economy and directs potential employment opportunities outside the country.
He said funds used to buy poultry products from abroad could instead support jobs for Ghanaian young people and strengthen local farming businesses. The minister argued that greater domestic production, alongside increased consumption of locally produced chicken, would help reduce reliance on imports.
Mr Opoku said the government intends to use the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme as part of a wider strategy for the poultry sector, including production growth, value addition and job creation.
He said the programme’s initial phase concentrated on helping households to enter poultry farming. The next phase, he added, is expected to focus on medium-scale farmers who need support to enlarge their operations.
According to the minister, some poultry producers currently manage flocks ranging from about 500 to 3,000 birds and require additional capacity to grow. He said government support for such farmers would be important to the drive for higher output.
Mr Opoku said building a more resilient poultry industry would require both increased local supply and stronger demand for Ghanaian poultry products.
