Ban on tomato exports: Traders demand urgent government action

Government is facing mounting pressure to fast-track efforts to achieve tomato self-sufficiency, as traders at Agbogbloshie Market contend with rising costs that are steadily eroding consumer purchasing power.

The situation has been exacerbated by Burkina Faso’s tomato export ban, which has triggered supply shortages and sharp price increases across major markets in Ghana.

Traders say the surge in tomato prices is already affecting sales, with many households cutting back on consumption or turning to alternative ingredients.

Some retailers report that the cost of a crate of tomatoes has more than doubled in recent weeks, making it increasingly difficult to maintain stable prices for customers.

Patience Nyarko, a tomato trader, expressed concern over the unexpected spike in prices.

“At a time like this, tomato prices should not be rising so sharply. Ideally, prices would range between GH₵18 and GH₵22, but tomatoes are now being sold for as much as GH₵32, GH₵38, and even GH₵40,” she said.

She attributed the surge largely to the export ban, noting that Burkina Faso typically supplies Ghana with tomatoes for up to six months during its peak season. The disruption, she explained, has significantly reduced availability and driven up prices.

Ama Agyeiwaa, a trader with 25 years of experience, described the situation as deeply worrying for market women, many of whom rely solely on tomato sales for their livelihoods.

She urged authorities to take a more proactive approach in addressing the supply gap.

“We urge officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to visit Burkina Faso and study how they manage irrigation to sustain tomato production.

Learning from their methods could help improve local farming practices here in Ghana, especially during the dry season,” she said.

Abena Agyeiwaa, another trader with six years of experience, added that locally produced tomatoes are significantly more affordable when available.

According to her, a bucket of locally grown tomatoes can cost around GH₵200, compared to higher prices for imported ones, which are driven by transportation costs and associated risks.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced plans to boost tomato production.

The initiative aims to increase yields from 8 metric tonnes per hectare to 15 metric tonnes per hectare.

He revealed that the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement has been tasked with coordinating agricultural research institutions to develop improved tomato varieties by August this year.