Olam Agri unveils Ghana’s first local pasta brand with $40 million factory

Olam Agri, a global agribusiness firm, has launched Ghana’s first fully locally produced pasta brand, First Choice Premium Spaghetti, backed by a $40 million manufacturing facility in Kpone.

The launch, unveiled in Accra alongside media personality Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku, signals a strategic move to reduce Ghana’s $140 million pasta import bill and strengthen domestic food production.

The move places Olam Agri at the forefront of Ghana’s industrialization drive, as policymakers and private investors push to localize food manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.

$40 million Kpone facility drives local production
The new pasta is produced at Olam Agri’s Kpone-based facility, a fully integrated plant handling production, packaging, and nationwide distribution. Commissioned earlier in March, the factory has an annual capacity of 40,000 tonnes and is closely linked to the company’s existing wheat milling operations.

This vertical integration allows Olam Agri to control costs, improve efficiency, and stabilize supply in a market historically dependent on imported pasta products.

Targeting Ghana’s $140 million pasta market
Ghana imported an estimated $140 million worth of pasta between 2021 and 2024, highlighting a major opportunity for import substitution. Olam Agri’s local production strategy aims to capture a significant share of this market while improving affordability for consumers.

By producing domestically, the company expects to reduce foreign exchange pressures, enhance supply chain resilience, and support national food security goals.

Brand positioning targets everyday consumers
First Choice Premium Spaghetti is designed for mass-market consumption, targeting households seeking affordable, high-quality meal options. The brand’s “3y3 Fine” message reflects a focus on consistency, taste, and reliability tailored to local preferences.

At the launch event, brand ambassador Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku emphasized the product’s appeal to families, reinforcing its positioning as a trusted household staple.

Expansion signals broader West Africa strategy
The pasta launch marks the beginning of Olam Agri’s broader push into locally manufactured consumer staples across West Africa. With demand for packaged foods rising and governments backing domestic production, the company is expanding its footprint across the region’s food value chain.

Beyond reducing imports, the investment is expected to create jobs, support industrial growth, and build a more resilient food ecosystem in Ghana.