Ginger prices rise 102.5% in June inflation report

Ginger has emerged as Ghana’s fastest-rising consumer item, with prices more than doubling over the past year, even as several key food staples recorded sharp declines in June 2026 inflation figures.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows ginger recorded an annual inflation rate of 102.5%, making it the most expensive item tracked. It was followed by shrimps at 90.8% and mangoes at 87.2%.

Other items that saw significant price increases included bananas (47.8%), avocado pears (43.8%) and fresh coconuts (39.3%), reflecting continued volatility in selected food commodities.

The report also highlighted ginger as a major contributor to headline inflation, accounting for 7.0%, alongside transport fares—particularly buses and “trotro”—which remained the biggest driver at 10.5%. Rent payments and secondary school fees followed at 8.4% and 7.2% respectively.

In contrast, several food items recorded notable price declines over the period. Kontomire (alefu) saw the steepest drop at -38.0%, followed by garden eggs (-33.1%), maize (-32.1%), millet (-23.0%), pawpaw (-22.4%) and beans (-21.3%).

Despite food inflation edging up to 3.9% in June from 3.3% in May, the Statistical Service noted that food still accounted for 31.5% of headline inflation, compared to 68.5% from non-food items, indicating stronger price pressures outside the food basket.

Overall, inflation rose year-on-year to 5.3% in June, up from 3.7% in May, although monthly inflation slowed to 0.2%, suggesting a moderation in the pace of price increases.

The statistical service summarised the trend as: “Food rose, but is not the main driver,” adding that ginger recorded the highest increase while kontomire posted the sharpest decline.