Ghana is in discussions with Ukraine over plans to establish a wheat flour processing plant, in a move aimed at reducing import dependence and strengthening control over the country’s food supply chain.

The proposal was tabled in Accra during talks between Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister, Denys Bashlyk.

The planned facility signals a shift from Ghana’s long-standing reliance on imported wheat to a more strategic focus on local processing and regional distribution.

Rising demand, growing dependence

Ghana’s appetite for wheat and wheat-based products continues to surge, driven by increasing consumption of bread, noodles and other processed foods.

Over the past four years, wheat imports have jumped by nearly 57 per cent, reaching approximately 1.09 million tonnes in 2025, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture.

This growing dependence has left the country vulnerable to external shocks, particularly following disruptions triggered by the Russia-Ukraine War, which significantly affected global grain supply and prices.

Strategic shift to local processing

The proposed wheat processing plant forms part of a broader 2025 agreement aimed at positioning Ghana as a hub for Ukrainian agricultural products within West Africa. However, details such as the plant’s location and investment size remain undisclosed.

For Ukraine, one of the world’s leading wheat exporters, the initiative presents an opportunity to deepen its footprint in Africa, where demand for grains is rising but processing infrastructure remains underdeveloped.

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukraine exported over 20 million tonnes of wheat in 2024, reinforcing its role as a key player in global food supply.

Expanding partnerships beyond trade

The engagement is also tied to Ukraine’s broader “Food from Ukraine” initiative, designed to sustain exports while building new trade relationships across emerging markets.

Beyond the proposed plant, both countries are exploring additional areas of cooperation, including support for Ghanaian farmers through the distribution of five million seed packets, as well as investments in storage systems and agricultural value chains.

According to Mr Opoku, the partnership aligns with government’s Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.

Africa’s wider food security push

Analysts say the development reflects a growing trend across Africa, where countries are increasingly prioritising local processing capacity to move up the value chain.

At the same time, major exporters like Ukraine are looking to diversify beyond traditional markets in Europe and Asia, turning to Africa as a key growth frontier.

If successful, the Ghana-Ukraine partnership could serve as a model for similar collaborations aimed at building resilience in Africa’s food systems while unlocking new economic opportunities.