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Ghana’s tomato market after the Burkina Faso export ban: Relief without resolution

Following the recent suspension of tomato exports from Burkina Faso to Ghana, the Agribusiness Students Association of Ghana (ABSAG) has conducted a rapid field-based study titled “Rapid Assessment of Tomato Supply Disruption in Ghana”.

The study was undertaken to assess the immediate effects of the disruption on traders, transporters, and consumers across key tomato markets in Ghana. Although Burkina Faso has now lifted the export ban, the apparent restoration of supply should not be interpreted as a recovery. Instead, it reveals the extent to which Ghana’s tomato market depends on external supply to maintain stability. The current moment is therefore not one of resolution, but of temporary relief within a structurally fragile system

The survey covered major trading centres namely; Ashanti, Northern, and Volta Region, including market centres such as Tech Junction–Ayigya Market, Abinkyi Market, and Choggu Market. These markets represent key distribution and consumption hubs within Ghana’s tomato value chain.

Findings from the study reveal that the export ban has intensified existing vulnerabilities in Ghana’s tomato sector. Respondents consistently reported sharp increases in tomato prices, with some markets recording price hikes from GHS 250 to GHS 500 per box, from GHS 500 to GHS 800, and, in extreme cases, up to GHS 1,300–3,000 per box, depending on size and availability.  

These extreme price movements are not merely market reactions to a temporary shortage; they represent the behaviour of a system lacking internal stabilising mechanisms. The rapid escalation underscores how quickly Ghana’s tomato market becomes unstable when external supply is disrupted. At the same time, supply has become irregular and significantly reduced, with traders noting slow restocking and difficulty accessing sufficient stock for their businesses.

The study further indicates that Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes, particularly from Burkina Faso, plays a critical role in stabilising supply during the dry season. However, the recent export restriction has exposed the fragility of this reliance. Some traders reported sourcing between 40% and 100% of their stock from Burkina Faso prior to the disruption, highlighting the extent of the market’s external dependence. This level of dependence suggests that Ghana’s tomato market does not function as a self-regulating system but rather as one that is externally stabilised. With the lifting of the ban, this dependence is restored rather than reduced, effectively resetting the conditions for future vulnerability.

This situation is consistent with emerging national reports. According to News Ghana, tomato traders in Sunyani have already begun experiencing price increases and shortages following Burkina Faso’s decision to suspend tomato exports to prioritise domestic processing needs. The report further notes that the suspension, which took effect on March 16, 2026, has significantly affected cross-border trade flows and market stability in Ghana. Similar concerns have been reported across other media platforms, indicating widespread market anxiety over future supply shortages and price volatility.

Transporters within the tomato value chain have also been significantly affected. Operators along major routes such as Navrongo–Bolgatanga–Tamale–Techiman–Kumasi–Accra and Ho–Kpando–Accra reported reduced trip frequency, increased fuel costs, road insecurity, theft, and delays at checkpoints and borders. These challenges have resulted in declining incomes and further constrained the movement of tomatoes from production zones to consumption markets. These logistical constraints amplify the effects of supply shocks, meaning that even when imports resume, inefficiencies within domestic distribution continue to undermine market stability.

Consumer behaviour has also shifted in response to rising prices. Many consumers are purchasing smaller quantities or seeking alternative food items, reflecting price sensitivity in the tomato market. This adjustment behaviour demonstrates that rising prices in the tomato market do not translate into proportional gains for traders or producers, but instead suppress overall market activity, reinforcing income instability across the value chain. This has, in turn, negatively affected traders’ sales volumes and incomes, creating a situation where higher prices do not necessarily translate into higher profitability.

While the lifting of the export ban is expected to ease immediate supply constraints, it risks creating a false sense of stability. The underlying structural conditions that produced the crisis—seasonality, weak infrastructure, and external dependence—remain unchanged. Overall, the findings highlight a complex and interconnected set of challenges affecting Ghana’s tomato value chain. These include seasonal production gaps, overreliance on imports, inadequate storage infrastructure, poor road networks, high transport costs, and security risks along transport corridors. The export ban from Burkina Faso has therefore served as a shock, exposing and intensifying existing structural weaknesses in the sector.

The current moment presents a narrow policy window. If structural interventions are not implemented during this period of temporary stability, Ghana is likely to experience repeated cycles of disruption and recovery. In response, stakeholders proposed several interventions, including government support for local tomato farmers, investment in irrigation and year-round production systems, construction of storage and processing facilities, improvement of road infrastructure, and enhanced security along transport routes. These measures are seen as essential to reducing Ghana’s dependence on external sources and strengthening the resilience of the tomato industry.

In conclusion, while the lifting of Burkina Faso’s export ban may temporarily restore supply, it does not address the structural weaknesses within Ghana’s tomato sector. The events surrounding the ban have demonstrated that the system is highly sensitive to external shocks and lacks internal resilience. Without deliberate investment in production systems, storage infrastructure, and market coordination, Ghana will remain vulnerable to future disruptions. The critical question is no longer whether supply has resumed, but whether the system has been strengthened to withstand the next shock.

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Issah Seidu reportedly picked up at Accra International Airport over OSP rice case

Issa Seidu, one of the accused persons in the ongoing Tema Port rice container case being prosecuted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been taken back into custody following his arrest for breaching his bail conditions according to report.


Seidu was arrested on 13th April, 2026 at the Kotoka International Airport while preparing to travel out of the country on an official trip facilitated and sponsored by the National Insurance Commission.


His attempted departure is said to have violated bail terms that required him to remain within the jurisdiction unless expressly permitted by the court.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Accra High Court (Criminal Division), Criminal Court 1, on 15th April, 2026, where the court ordered that he be taken back into custody pending further proceedings.


Issah is currently standing trial alongside three others in connection with the seizure of 10 containers of rice at Tema Port.


The development has also drawn attention to Seidu’s professional role, as a staff of the National Insurance Commission, which reportedly sponsored the trip in question.


The arrest has the public asking questions as to how the travel arrangements were made in the context of his bail restrictions. 

Background

OSP charges four persons over attempted hijack of rice containers at Tema Port

The Office of the Specila Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that four public officials have been formally charged with corruption in connection with a high-profile attempt to unlawfully acquire ten containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.

The accused—Issah Seidu of the National Insurance Commission, James Keck Osei, a former Director at the former Vice President’s Secretariat, and Customs officers John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde, allegedly conspired to seize the containers using forged documents and a falsified letter purporting to originate from the Office of the Vice President.

According to court filings, the rice was legally imported from Thailand in 2022 and all required duties had been duly paid. However, Seidu, with support from the other accused, attempted to secure the release of the containers through the Ghana Revenue Authority’s auction process under false pretences.

The accused persons manipulated official processes with the aim of diverting the containers for their personal gain, the OSP revealed.

Internal investigations by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), coupled with a High Court ruling, brought the scheme to light.

The four are expected to appear before court on Friday, 27 June 2025, where they will answer to multiple counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, corruption, and abuse of public office.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has assured the public that it will pursue the case vigorously to its logical conclusion, warning that more officials could be implicated as investigations continue.

This case follows growing public scrutiny of corruption within Ghana’s public service and a renewed pledge by the current administration to restore integrity to state institutions.

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Ghana records over $3 billion in exports as cocoa processing drives industrial shift

Ghana’s drive to expand industrial capacity and move up the value chain delivered a record performance in 2025, as non-traditional exports surged, driven by strong growth in cocoa processing and other value-added commodities.

The shift away from raw material dependence is increasingly reshaping the country’s trade structure and strengthening its position in regional and global markets.

According to data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the top ten non-traditional export products generated $3.28 billion in 2025, equivalent to about $2.42 billion. This marks a 53% increase from roughly $1.59 billion in 2024. These leading products accounted for 65.48% of total non-traditional export earnings, with the average value per product in the top tier reaching about $242 million.

GEPA described the performance as evidence of “a broader structural shift in Ghana’s export strategy, from raw commodity dependence to processed and semi-processed goods.”

At the centre of this transformation is cocoa processing, which continues to anchor Ghana’s export earnings while evolving into a more diversified industrial base.

Cocoa paste remained the single largest export earner, generating $789.3 million in 2025. This reflects a 70.97% year-on-year increase and underscores Ghana’s deepening investment in domestic processing capacity rather than in raw cocoa exports.

Secondary cocoa products recorded even faster expansion, driven by demand from Europe and other industrial markets. Cocoa butter exports rose to about $469 million following a 120.18% increase, while cocoa powder climbed to approximately $173 million after a 112.97% rise. GEPA noted that the cocoa sector as a whole achieved earnings of about $3.69 billion, describing it as a “historic milestone” for the country’s value-added export agenda.

Beyond cocoa, agricultural diversification continued to strengthen Ghana’s export base. Cashew nuts generated roughly $219 million, reflecting steady expansion in the sector. The shea industry also recorded strong momentum, with shea nuts rising to about $131 million and shea oil reaching approximately $129 million, supported by growing demand from the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Industrial and fisheries exports also contributed to the overall performance. Articles of plastics rose to about $203 million, aluminium products reached approximately $121 million, and canned tuna exports climbed to around $157 million. Collectively, manufactured and semi-processed goods accounted for more than 83% of total export earnings, signalling a clear shift towards industrial output.

However, not all sectors performed strongly. Iron and steel exports declined slightly to about $233 million amid pressure from volatile global prices and intensifying international competition.

GEPA attributed this divergence to external market conditions, even as broader export performance remained robust.

In terms of trade destinations, Europe retained its dominance, with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France emerging as key markets.

At the same time, intra-African trade continued to expand, supported by demand within the Economic Community of West African States. Regional trade now accounts for 30.36% of Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings.

GEPA chief executive Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur said the figures reflect “Ghana’s growing competitiveness in regional markets,” highlighting the importance of ongoing initiatives such as the Accelerated Export Development Programme to improve production standards and capacity.

The results were unveiled during the launch of the 2025 Non-Traditional Export Statistics Report on 17 April 2026, which underscored Ghana’s accelerating integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

Overall, the 2025 performance points to an economy increasingly anchored in industrialisation and value addition, as Ghana positions itself as a rising manufacturing and processing hub in West Africa.

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Food Security: Engineering is pivotal in solving Ghana’s food security issues – GhIE

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ghana’s leading engineering body, has called for the prioritisation of engineering in the quest to make the country food secure.

Delivering a communiqué on the institution’s 56th Annual General Meeting and Engineering Conference in Accra on April 14, 2026, the President of GhIE, Ing Ludwig Annang Hesse, asserted that one of the consensuses reached at the conference was that Ghana can only become food secure if engineering becomes central to the food production value chain.

He indicated that the issues of food security, including post-harvest losses, limited mechanisation, infrastructure gaps, increasing climate variability, as well as inefficiencies in storage and transportation systems, continue to bedevil the country because the role of engineering has not been fully harnessed.

“Food security remains one of the most critical challenges confronting our nation. Across the country, we continue to face significant postharvest losses, limited mechanisation, infrastructure gaps, and increasing climate variability. Inefficiencies in storage, transportation, and processing further compound the situation.

These are not isolated agricultural problems; they are systemic challenges that require deliberate and coordinated engineering solutions.

“One of the most important outcomes of this conference is a clear and unified position: engineering must take its rightful place at the centre of Ghana’s agricultural transformation. For too long, engineering has been treated as a support function within agriculture. That approach is no longer sufficient,” he said.

Ing Annang Hesse stated that it is only through engineering that all the challenges that lead to food insecurity, including climate change, can be resolved.

Engineering is the enabler that connects production to markets, innovation to impact, and policy to measurable results. The conference underscored the need to approach food security holistically across the entire food value chain.

From production systems that depend on irrigation, mechanisation, and precision technologies, to post-harvest management, where the greatest losses occur, the role of engineering is indispensable.

“Without adequate storage, cold-chain systems, and processing infrastructure, the gains made at the production stage are often lost,” he said.

The president went on to present a summary of some key action points from the conference, which was held in the capital town of the Volta Region, Ho, from March 16 to March 20, 2026, on the theme “Engineering the Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Value Chain,’ as follows:

  • Ghana’s food security challenge must be treated as an engineering priority, requiring an urgent but structured national response and action.
  • The government should accelerate investment in irrigation systems to enable all-year farming and reduce dependence on rainfall.
  • The agriculture sector must shift to mechanisation, technology and data-driven production systems, and must be supported by the necessary incentives and support programmes by the government.
  • Road infrastructure must be improved to ensure efficient transportation of farm produce to markets and processing centres.
  • There must be major investment in post-harvest systems, including storage, cold chains, and agroprocessing, to reduce losses and boost value addition.
  • Renewable energy solutions should be deployed at scale to power irrigation, storage, and agroindustrial activities.
  • The country must adopt data-driven and precision agriculture, backed by national systems for soil, climate, and water data.
  • Research, local innovation, and circular economy solutions should be strengthened to transform
  • waste into energy, fertiliser, and other useful inputs.
  • The government should implement policy reforms and innovative financing, including land tenure security and stronger public-private partnerships.
  • Investment in people, especially the youth and women, to develop the appropriate skills in engineering, science, technology and agribusiness.

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500 million oil palm financing facility is intended to catalyse private sector investment and transform Ghana’s oil palm industry – DBG

The Chief Executive Officer of Development Bank Ghana, Prof. Randolph Nsoh-Ambala, has explained that government’s $500 million oil palm financing facility is intended to catalyse private sector investment and transform Ghana’s oil palm industry.

The facility, announced in the 2026 Budget by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, will provide long-term financing for players in the oil palm value chain, including a five-year moratorium on both principal and interest payments.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on oil palm financing in Accra, Prof. Nsoh-Ambala explained that the initiative is designed to restructure the sector, improve productivity, and strengthen local processing capacity while reducing the country’s dependence on imported palm oil.

“There have been some confusions around what this represents,” he noted. “What government seeks to do with this fund is to transform the various fragmented production units within the value chain into a coherent ecosystem that will allow us to achieve supply chain sovereignty—reducing our dependence on imports while meeting local demand.”

According to him, the facility aligns with government’s broader strategy of leveraging public financing to crowd in private sector capital for priority sectors of the economy.

“Like all government priority projects, the underlying philosophy is that for us to achieve sustainability, we must create the conditions for the private sector to play a leading role,” he added.

Meanwhile, the President of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana, Paul Kwabena Amaning, has called on government to prioritise organised farmer groups and cooperatives in the rollout of the facility.

He stressed that structured support for farmer associations is critical to boosting productivity, improving efficiency, and expanding market access within the oil palm sector.

“The financing facility must be carefully designed to support organised groups and associations, strengthen agro-systems, improve processing capacity, and promote value addition at the community level,” Amaning stated.

He further urged government to implement the programme within a clear timeline to ensure tangible results.

“Within the first six months, we should see structures in place and pilot funding begin. Within 12 to 18 months, we should see expansion in plantations, replanting efforts and processing. And within three to five years, we should see real results—reduced imports and increased local production,” he said.

The $500 million facility is expected to support plantation expansion, enhance domestic processing, and create jobs across Ghana’s oil palm value chain while strengthening the country’s drive toward greater self-sufficiency in palm oil production.

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Adjen Kotoku Onion Market shut down

The Adjen Kotoku onion market has been shut down after armed men from a rival faction allegedly stormed the area in an attempt to take control, leaving several traders injured and raising fresh security concerns.

The incident, which has disrupted trading activities at one of the country’s key onion hubs, is also said to be linked to growing allegations of  political interference in the management of the market.

Spokesperson for the Onion Sellers Association, Mustapha Sulemana Talimu, confirmed the closure on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and described the situation as troubling for traders whose livelihoods depend on the facility.

“We can confirm that the market has been shut down following the attack,” he said, adding that the violence has created fear among traders and halted business operations.

The development also comes amid reports that trucks carrying onions bound for Ghana have been blocked in Nigeria, in what is believed to be a retaliatory action connected to an earlier dispute involving some Ghanaian traders.

Speaking to Citi News, spokesperson for the Onion Sellers Association, Mustapha Sulemana Talimu, called for urgent government intervention to prevent further escalation of the situation.

“As I speak, they are with guns… they said they don’t want anybody in the market,” he said.

He added that previous interventions to resolve the dispute had not been sustained, prompting renewed tensions.

Traders at the market are appealing for swift security action to restore calm and ensure an uninterrupted supply of onions to local markets.

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Producers clarify GH¢15 sachet water per bag as a ceiling price, not fix price

The Sachet water producers have clarified that the recently announced GH¢15 price for a bag of sachet water is a maximum retail limit and not a uniform selling price across the market.

According to Kwame Agyapong-Ntra, the price cap is intended to serve as a guideline in response to rising production costs driven by global economic pressures.

Speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, he explained that escalating crude oil prices—largely linked to tensions in the Middle East—have significantly increased the cost of polymers used in sachet water production.

He further noted that suppliers have declared force majeure, resulting in higher input costs and forcing producers to review their pricing structures.

“The Middle East conflict has had repercussions on fuel prices. The material we use is derived from petroleum, so when oil prices rise, the cost of production also increases. This informed the decision to adjust prices. The maximum price will be ¢15.

“It is inaccurate to suggest that sachet water will be sold at 15 cedis across the board. Even with rising costs, prices are not expected to exceed that ceiling.

“We cannot predict when the conflict will end, and even if it does, it will take time for prices to stabilise. A force majeure has been declared by suppliers, leading to increased costs, and we have had to respond accordingly,” he stated.

Mr Agyapong-Ntra emphasised that retailers are not obligated to sell at GH¢15 unless market conditions make it necessary, stressing that prices may vary depending on operational costs and supply conditions.

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Gov’t welcomes Burkina Faso’s move to resume tomato exports to Ghana

The Government of Ghana has welcomed Burkina Faso’s decision to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes, describing the move as a significant boost to supply and market stability.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the government said the development follows improvements in tomato supply to local processing factories in Burkina Faso, as well as commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.

It noted that the decision is expected to restore the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and ease recent shortages on the local market.

The statement further indicated that the outcome reflects ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries.

It highlighted discussions led by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkinabe counterparts on the sidelines of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, which contributed to the resolution.

According to the Ministry, efforts will continue to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment, with sustained engagement between both governments and key stakeholders in the tomato value chain.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local production through initiatives such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana, alongside investments in irrigation, large-scale cultivation, and support for processors to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes in the long term.

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MAPHLIX FARMS to supply 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes to Ghanaian market

Maphlix Trust Ghana, operators of Maphlix Farms located at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region, is set to supply 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes to the Ghanaian market as part of efforts to strengthen local production and enhance food security.

This comes at a very opportune time to cushion the country following the ban on tomato exportation imposed by Burkina Faso.

The good news was revealed when the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, toured the facility to assess ongoing operations and interact with management and technical staff.

The visit forms part of the Ministry’s broader engagement with key private sector players to boost agricultural productivity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food commodities.

During the tour, the Minister inspected the farm’s irrigation systems, nursery units, and open-field cultivation areas.

He expressed satisfaction with the effective utilization of the facility’s infrastructure and commended the management for their commitment to modern, technology-driven agriculture.

He particularly highlighted the farm’s investment in the production of high-quality tomato seeds, describing it as a critical intervention to improve yields and address long-standing challenges in the tomato value chain.

“The brief we have received from those managing the center, indicates that, by the end of the year, they are able to produce 3000 tonnes and again the open field activities they are engaged in would increase the output that they envisage from this site. So looking at what they are doing, especially the open field activities we think that things are underway to ensure sufficient production of tomatoes to feed the Ghanaian people,” the Minister stated.

Harvesting activities have already commenced at Maphlix Farms, with produce being harvested at three-day intervals.

This consistent harvesting cycle is expected to ensure a steady supply of fresh tomatoes to the Ghanaian market, to curtail hikes in prices while meeting growing consumer demands.

He further noted that the expansion of both greenhouse and open-field production systems at Maphlix Farms presents a strong model for year-round tomato cultivation, which is essential in stabilizing supply and prices across seasons.

Addressing concerns raised by tomato traders regarding the quality and shelf-life of locally produced tomatoes, the Minister indicated that the Ministry is actively collaborating with research institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop improved, climate-resilient seed varieties suited to Ghana’s agro-ecological conditions.

These efforts are expected to enhance the quality, durability, and market competitiveness of Ghanaian tomatoes.

The Minister also used the opportunity to reassure the public that there will be no shortage of tomatoes in the country.

He encouraged consumers and traders to remain calm and desist from panic buying, emphasizing that ongoing interventions by government and private sector actors are yielding positive results.

The management of Maphlix Farms reiterated their commitment to scaling up production and investing in innovative farming practices to meet growing domestic demand.

They noted that beyond primary production, the company is exploring opportunities in processing and value addition to minimize post-harvest losses and create additional income streams.

Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited is a key player in Ghana’s food production and processing industry.

The company is engaged in the cultivation and sale of a wide range of crops, including vegetables, grains, and root and tuber crops.

In addition to producing exporting major commodities such as yam, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), fresh vegetables, and fruits, the company also adds value to root and tuber crops including cassava, yam, and potatoes, contributing significantly to job creation and the growth of the agricultural sector.

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Nothing works from May to December – Tomato traders

Tomato traders say a persistent production gap is crippling the local supply chain, forcing them to depend on imports and exposing them to external shocks.

Speaking on PM Express, President of the Tomato Importers Association, Eric Tuffour, painted a bleak picture of domestic tomato production, blaming poor irrigation systems for the annual shortfall.

His comments come amid fresh concerns following Burkina Faso’s decision to suspend exports of fresh tomatoes to protect its local processing industry.

The development has disrupted supply routes and heightened fears among Ghanaian traders, some of whom were recently caught in violence in Titao, where lives were lost.

Mr Tuffour said the root of the crisis lies within Ghana’s own farming system, which fails to sustain production for most of the year.

“May to December every year, we have problems with Ghanaian farmers as they can’t grow tomatoes because of a lack of irrigation,” he said.

He explained that the challenge is not limited to a single region but spans several key tomato-producing areas.

“It’s not only the Upper East farmer who normally used to grow tomatoes for the market. It is also grown in Dormaa Ahenkro, Asante Akyem Agogo, Begoro, Tuobodom and other areas that are tomato-growing places, but when you get there, the irrigation is very poor,” he added.

According to him, the lack of reliable irrigation means farmers cannot produce consistently, leaving traders with little choice but to look beyond Ghana’s borders.

The situation has become more urgent following Burkina Faso’s export ban, a key supplier to Ghana’s markets. Traders now face supply uncertainty, rising costs and heightened risk.

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