Maize Prices Drop in Northern Ghana from GH₵600 to GH₵300, Farmers Count Losses

The price of maize across major markets in northern Ghana has dropped sharply from GH₵600 to GH₵300 per 100kg bag, sparking mixed reactions among farmers, traders, and consumers.

While many households, food vendors, and poultry feed producers are welcoming the reduction, maize farmers say the development is threatening their livelihoods.

A market survey conducted at the Tamale Central Market, Aboabu, and Gushegu revealed that the price fall is mainly due to a bumper harvest resulting from good rainfall and increased fertilizer use this year.

“This year, almost every farmer harvested more maize than expected. The stores are full, and that has caused prices to drop,” said Alhassan Nimatu, a grain trader at the Tamale Aboabu Market.

She added that some farmers are rushing to sell their produce early due to the lack of proper storage facilities, which often leads to post-harvest losses.

Despite the positive impact on food prices, farmers are expressing disappointment, saying the reduction in maize prices does not reflect their high input costs.

“Last year, fertilizer and tractor services were very expensive. We spent a lot of money to cultivate our farms. Now we are selling at GH₵300, which cannot even cover our expenses,” lamented Osman Hameed, a maize farmer from Gushegu.

Many farmers in the region are also struggling to transport their produce due to poor road networks. As a result, they are forced to sell their maize cheaply to local traders.

For consumers, food vendors, and poultry feed millers, however, the fall in maize prices is welcome news. Maize remains a key component in the production of animal feed and in local dishes such as kenkey and banku. The reduction is expected to increase the quantity of these foods available to consumers.

“We can now buy more maize and increase the size of kenkey, even though we can’t reduce the price,” said Adama Goodman, a kenkey seller in Tamale.

For now, the sharp fall in maize prices stands as both a relief for consumers and a worrying sign for farmers—once again exposing the fragile balance between production and profitability in Ghana’s agricultural economy.

Source: Hameed Hamdia |Zaaghana.com