Palm oil producers project steep rise in imports

The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) projects a rise in palm oil imports due to the negative impact of galamsey on domestic production.

OPDAG president Samuel Avaala noted the ongoing deficit, with Ghana importing over US$1.17 billion worth of palm oil from 2019 to 2021 while producing only 850,000 tonnes.

Poor agronomy and management practices further exacerbate the shortfall. Though oil palm is a key crop, illegal mining threatens farms, worsening the situation.

To improve, experts suggest enhancing farming techniques and upgrading milling operations to boost production and reduce imports.