• GB Foods acquires 2,428 hectares for tomatoes in Ghana

• Land to supply Tema tomato processing plant

• Ghana imports average 54,361 tons paste annually

GB Foods Africa has acquired a concession of nearly 2,428 hectares in the Afram Plains in Ghana's Eastern Region. The Spanish group's African arm operates in the production and marketing of fast-moving consumer goods related to cooking.

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry announced the acquisition on Feb. 17, stating the land will be used for industrial tomato cultivation to supply GB Foods Ghana, the group's local subsidiary.

The investment represents one of GB Foods' largest farming operations in West Africa. The company did not disclose the cost or operational details of the project. The move suggests GB Foods aims to improve its raw material supply chain to boost tomato paste production in the country.

GB Foods has operated a tomato processing plant in Tema since 2023. The facility, which cost $5 million, enables the company to produce and market its flagship tomato concentrate brands "Gino" and "Pomo" in Ghana.

"For us, this is about developing the industry where we operate. It is not about importing; it is about building local capacity," said Vicenç Bosch, CEO of GB Foods Africa.

Increasing tomato concentrate production would allow GB Foods to expand its market share in Ghana by gradually replacing imports.

Data compiled by the FAO shows Ghana imported an average of nearly 54,361 metric tons of tomato paste annually between 2020 and 2024. The cost associated with these purchases averaged $54.4 million per year over the same period, reaching a peak of $85.4 million in 2024.

Stéphanas Assocle