Ghana has initiated exports of eggs to Burkina Faso in an effort to tackle a sustained surplus in domestic production. The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, confirmed that the exports followed negotiations with Burkina Faso after President John Mahama directed him and the Minister for Trade to secure access to the neighbouring country's market. A delegation encountered over 20 trucks loaded with eggs at the border during negotiations, and clearance was subsequently granted for the trucks to enter Burkina Faso.
According to Minister Opoku, the exports have not been sufficient to absorb the domestic surplus, prompting the government to consider additional measures to increase local demand. The ministry is working with the Minister for Education to implement President Mahama's directive to include eggs in meals served under the School Feeding Programme. This move aims to boost local demand for eggs and support the poultry industry.
The government is also investing in infrastructure to support the poultry sector. A poultry, meat, and feed processing facility under construction at Bechem in the Ahafo Region is approximately 50% complete and expected to become operational by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The facility will have two processing lines dedicated to broilers and layers, with a combined capacity of 6,000 birds per hour.
To ensure a consistent supply of birds, the government plans to establish contractual arrangements with poultry farmers in the Ashanti and Upper East regions, as well as surrounding areas. Under these arrangements, the facility will purchase and process birds supplied by the farmers for the market. The facility will also feature three cold rooms, a feed mill, and a hatchery to support poultry production and improve the sustainability of the programme.
The hatchery will produce birds for distribution to farmers, who will subsequently supply the processing facility. The government is also procuring two trucks to distribute the factory's packaged and branded products to the market. This integrated approach aims to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Ghana's poultry sector.
Minister Opoku expressed optimism about the project's potential to transform the poultry industry in Ghana. He noted that all outstanding certificates had been paid, following earlier delays, and that the contractor has assured the government that the facility will be completed and become operational by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The government's efforts to boost the poultry sector and address the domestic egg surplus are ongoing. With the egg exports to Burkina Faso and plans to expand poultry processing, the sector is poised for growth and increased self-sufficiency. The inclusion of eggs in the School Feeding Programme is also expected to have a positive impact on local demand and the overall poultry industry.
Key points
- Ghana begins exporting eggs to Burkina Faso to address domestic surplus.
- The government plans to include eggs in the School Feeding Programme to boost local demand.
- A new poultry processing facility is under construction in Bechem and expected to become operational in 2027.
