Feed millers are facing difficulties due to rising maize costs caused by a supply shortage. Their production capacity has decreased from 1,000 metric tonnes to 700 metric tonnes because of persistent droughts in northern and central Ghana.
Maize, which constitutes about 55 percent of the raw materials for poultry feed, has seen its price surge from GH¢200 to approximately GH¢360 for a 50kg bag.
Despite this sharp increase, feed millers are unable to pass the costs onto poultry farmers and have had to absorb the price hikes themselves.
Eric Manteaw, Executive Secretary of the Association of Feed Millers of Ghana, shared these concerns with Citi Business News, highlighting the struggle to adjust prices and the ongoing efforts with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to find solutions.
Some maize dealers also raised alarms about the rising costs and urged the government to address the drought issue in the northern region.
Gafaru Iddrisu noted that excessive demand and hoarding have exacerbated the shortage, with prices for a 100kg bag reaching GH¢1,150 to GH¢1,500.
Rubaba Shaibu, a long-time grain seller, emphasized the need for government intervention to address the cedi’s depreciation and the broader economic challenges affecting maize prices.
Meanwhile, Isaac Awuzah, CEO of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, has called for reduced import duties on maize to help alleviate the supply gap.
