John Dumelo Reveals Why Local Chicken Costs More Than Imported Chicken in Ghana

Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has raised concerns about the high cost of locally produced chicken, blaming middlemen for increasing prices between farmers and consumers.

According to Dumelo, some middlemen buy local chicken from farmers for approximately GH¢80 and resell it to consumers for as much as GH¢200. This significant price difference has raised questions about pricing practices and why locally produced chicken can be more expensive than imported alternatives.

The issue has attracted attention because poultry farming plays an important role in Ghana’s agricultural sector. Local farmers invest money in purchasing feed, raising chicks, providing veterinary care and maintaining their farms before their chickens are ready for sale.

Despite these efforts, many poultry farmers face challenges in getting their products to consumers at competitive prices. Middlemen often help transport and distribute agricultural products, connecting farmers to markets. However, when the difference between the buying and selling prices becomes too large, consumers may struggle to afford locally produced food.

For many Ghanaian households, the price of chicken influences what they can afford to prepare for their families. When imported chicken is cheaper, consumers may choose it over local products, even when they would prefer to support Ghanaian farmers.

This creates a challenge for local poultry producers, who must compete with imported products while dealing with production costs and other business expenses.

Dumelo’s comments highlight the need to examine the entire poultry supply chain, from the farm to the market. Improving storage facilities, transportation systems and direct links between farmers and retailers could help reduce unnecessary costs.

Encouraging supermarkets, restaurants and other businesses to buy directly from local farmers could also create more reliable markets for Ghanaian poultry products.

However, the difference between farm-gate and retail prices does not automatically represent pure profit, as transport, storage, losses and other expenses may contribute to the final price.

The wider question is how Ghana can make locally produced chicken more affordable while ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their work.

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