Spanish food giant GB Foods Africa has acquired nearly 2,428 hectares in Ghana’s Afram Plains, Eastern Region, to expand tomato cultivation and secure raw materials for its local manufacturing operations.
Brandspur Agriculture News reports that the land allocation, confirmed in a February 17 statement by Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, will support GB Foods Ghana, the company’s subsidiary responsible for producing tomato paste for the domestic market.
The move marks a strategic effort to reduce dependence on imported tomato products while enhancing domestic production. GB Foods Africa is preparing to establish one of West Africa’s largest agricultural sites to supply its tomato paste processing facility in Tema, which produces popular brands including Gino and Pomo.
Vicenç Bosch, Chief Executive Officer of GB Foods Africa, emphasised that the strategy focuses on strengthening local production capacity in the countries where the company operates, ensuring sustainable supply and minimizing import reliance.
Despite Ghana being the fourth-largest tomato producer in West Africa, the country imported an average of 54,361 tonnes of tomato puree annually between 2020 and 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization data. The import bill averaged US$54.4 million per year, peaking at US$85.4 million in 2024.
The land concession positions GB Foods to scale up local tomato cultivation, supporting expansion at the Tema processing facility and gradually replacing imported tomato paste with domestically produced alternatives.
The initiative aligns with broader industry trends toward localisation and self-sufficiency in processed food production, as Ghana continues to balance domestic output with international supply chains.
This expansion is expected to enhance Ghana’s tomato paste sector, generate employment, and strengthen the country’s capacity to meet growing domestic demand for processed tomato products.
