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Fresh tomato prices recorded a dramatic 158.3% year-on-year increase in August 2026, emerging as the commodity with the highest price surge during the month, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The sharp rise occurred even as overall food inflation eased slightly to 3.0% in August, down from 3.1% in July.
Tomatoes Lead Price Increases
Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, said the figures demonstrate how consumers can experience significantly different price changes depending on the commodities they purchase.
GSS data showed that ginger followed fresh tomatoes with a 128.3% year-on-year increase. Shrimps rose by 67.1%, while mango prices increased by 57.7%.
Fresh coconut and fresh green pepper also recorded increases of 38.0% and 30.5%, respectively.
However, some food items recorded significant price reductions. Lime registered the largest decline at 33.7%, followed by maize, which fell by 31.3%. Cocoyam leaves, sweet apples, fried fish and pawpaw also recorded notable decreases.
Despite the sharp increases in some commodities, food prices generally declined by 2.5% month-on-month in August.
Overall Inflation Rises to 5.0%
Dr. Iddrisu explained that inflation measures the rate at which prices change over time rather than simply showing how expensive a particular product is.
Overall year-on-year inflation increased to 5.0% in August from 4.6% in July, although it remained significantly lower than the 11.5% recorded in August 2025.
Non-food inflation was the main contributor, rising to 6.8%, compared with food inflation of 3.0%. Non-food items accounted for 70.9% of total inflation, while food contributed 29.1%.
Services also recorded stronger price pressures, with inflation at 8.6%, compared with 3.8% for goods.
The GSS further reported that locally produced goods and services accounted for 86.2% of total inflation, while imported items recorded inflation of 2.2%.