Data and analysis on food prices across Ghana, for the month of March 2019.
COUNTRYWIDE ANALYSIS
At the end of trading in the month of March, most commodities saw increases in their prices. Tomato gained the most with an increase of 9.45% to close at GHS 457.17 per crate; with Cassava also gaining 8.38% to close at GHS 71.91 per bag. Groundnut gained 3.4% to close at GHS 495.39 per bag with Wheat also making a gain of 2.7% to close at GHS 296.60 per bag. Gari gained 1.56% to close at GHS185.90 per bag with Pona also gaining 1.43% to close at GHS GHS 605.33 per 100 tubers. Maize gained 1.09% to close at GHS 147.86. There was no price change for imported rice.
Three of the major crops grown in the northern part of the country dropped in prices. These crops were cowpea, millet and soya beans. Cowpea dropped 5.55% to close at GHS 342.98 per bag, with Millet also dropping 2.15% to close at GHS 227.29 per bag. Soya dropped marginally by 0.12% to close at GHS 239.17 Rice local white also dropped by 0.22% to close at GHS 326.00 per bag.
Outlook for April: all things being equal, commodities in the month of April are expected to trade mix. It is also expected that commodities would make substantial gains. Farmers are expected to continue with their preparations and start planting in the later part of the month.
CROP ANALYSIS
Maize
The average price for a bag of maize gained 1.09% to close the month at GHS147.87. The highest price of GHS 189.00 was recorded at Takoradi with the lowest price of GHS 116.00 at Bawku.
Rice Local
The average price for a bag of local rice dropped 0.22% to close the month at GHS 326.00. The highest price of GHS 400.00 was recorded at Dambai with the lowest price of GHS 262.00 recorded at Tamale.
Tomato
A crate of tomato gained 9.45% to close the month at GHS 457.17. The highest price of GHS 600.00 was recorded at Dambai and the lowest price of GHS 383.00 recorded at Tamale.
