Ghana is in talks with Ukraine to build a wheat flour processing plant, as rising imports and global supply risks push African countries to secure more control over their food supply chains.
- Ghana and Ukraine are discussing a wheat processing plant to cut import dependence.
- Wheat demand is rising fast, with imports up nearly 57% in four years.
- The move reflects Africa’s push for food security after global supply shocks.
- Ukraine is targeting new markets as it reshapes its export strategy.
The proposal, discussed in Accra between Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk, marks a shift from simple grain imports towards local processing and regional distribution.
The planned facility would form part of a broader agreement signed in 2025 to position Ghana as a hub for Ukrainian agricultural products in West Africa. Key details, including location and investment size, have not been disclosed.
The move comes as Ghana’s dependence on imported wheat deepens. Imports rose by nearly 57 per cent over four years to about 1.09 million tonnes in 2025, according to US Department of Agriculture data, driven by growing demand for bread, noodles and other processed foods.
That dependence has left the country exposed to global shocks, particularly since the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted grain supplies and drove up prices across many African markets.
For Ukraine, one of the world’s largest wheat exporters, the project offers a way to expand into Africa, where demand is rising but local processing capacity remains limited. The country exported more than 20 million tonnes of wheat in 2024 despite ongoing conflict.
The talks also reflect Kyiv’s wider push to deepen ties with African economies through its “Food from Ukraine” initiative, launched to sustain exports and build new trade partnerships.
Beyond the flour plant, both countries are exploring support for Ghanaian farmers, including the distribution of five million seed packets and investment in storage and value chains.
Mr Opoku said the partnership aligns with Ghana’s Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
Analysts say such investments could become more common as African countries seek to move up the value chain from raw imports to local processing, while exporters like Ukraine look to diversify away from traditional markets in Europe and Asia.
