The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has denied publications that it entered into an agreement with a third party for the importation of large quantities of pork from the United States.
According to the ministry, the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of the ministry rather requested from veterinary medical officers in the USA for certification for meat and poultry healthiness intended to be exported to Ghana.
Contained in a statement, MoFA stated that it is an obligation of VSD to render the requested services professionally in accordance with ethics of the Organization of World Animal Health for which Ghana is a member.
“MoFA categorically denies the validity of the allegation as it has not signed any such agreement with any party. For clarity, the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of MoFA has on record, a request from Dr. Charmaine McJee, Veterinary Medical Officer, Export Development of FSISUSDA, Washington for Certification for Meat and Poultry Wholesomeness intended to be exported to Ghana which was granted following laboratory analysis of samples.”
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MoFA lamented that it is rather unfortunate the Veterinary Services Directorate legal mandate has been misconstrued. It however assured that it will never undermine the efforts and narrow market opportunities of the Ghanaian pig farmer.
“We therefore take this opportunity to assure the general public that, no agreement has been signed between the Ministry and any party for the unbridled importation of pork to flood the Ghanaian market”.
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
In January this year, the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ghanaian Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was said to have acknowledged the receipt of the Food Safety and Inspection Service proposed certificate of export for pork and pork products confirming its acceptance.
The alleged letter which was signed to the Veterinary Medical Officer of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and confirming its acceptance indicated that the Ghanaian market is now officially open to US exports of pork and pork products.
The proposed export certificate covers all US meat products including beef, poultry, goat and lamb.
Pork consumption in Ghana
Ghana’s market of imported pork and pork products was valued at US$16 million in 2021 having steadily increased from 2017. The country imported a total of 15,000 metric tonnes in 2021.
The market is currently dominated by the European Union and the recent opening of the market to the U.S meat and meat products, creates an opportunity for the US to grow as a significant player in Ghana’s imports.
As per the domestic production of pig meat in Ghana, the production has gradually increased at a rate of 10.5% over the last 15 years in terms of both intensive or commercial production, and extensive or free-ranging animal production.
The demand however still exceeds the domestic supply by 20% hence the need to import from other countries. The country has been ranked 110th within the group of 149 countries in terms of interest rate on pork meat consumption per capita.
The dominant challenges faced by domestic Ghanaian pork production include the swine flu outbreak that caused the price of pork and pork products to shoot up.
Businesses in the sector found it difficult to bounce back after having to cull their infected animals as hundreds were affected. This was a major setback for the industry.
Other challenges in the local pork sector include limited pork and pork products markets, high taxation, limited extension services and high price of feed.
The market is however growing with the recent growth in demand for pork. Many farmers and traders who previously dealt with smaller livestock have switched to pigs in recent years reporting that the profit margins are growing and that incidents of theft are relatively lower.
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