Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and energy drinks accounted for about 30% of all food products exported informally from Ghana to its neighbouring countries during the first three quarters of 2025, according to the latest Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) Survey by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The findings, released on Wednesday, July 15, show that beverages remained one of the country’s leading informal export commodities between January and September 2025, underscoring the growing demand for Ghanaian drinks across Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the report, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and energy drinks together made up approximately 30% of all food products exported through informal trade channels across the three quarters under review.
The survey also found that Togo was the leading destination for Ghana’s fuel exports, receiving an average of 44.1% of such exports.
The country also emerged as the biggest market for Ghana’s food items and beverages, accounting for an average of 38.1% of exports in both categories.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso remained the largest destination for Ghana’s agricultural exports, taking an average of 62.9% of farm produce exported informally during the period.
The report forms part of Ghana’s latest effort to measure informal cross-border trade, a sector that has historically gone unrecorded despite playing a significant role in regional commerce and the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
The Ghana Statistical Service says the data will help improve trade statistics, strengthen food security planning and support evidence-based policies aimed at boosting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
