The Government of Ghana has welcomed a decision by Burkina Faso to lift its suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations for fresh tomatoes, a move expected to restore cross-border trade and ease supply pressures in the domestic market.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, authorities indicated that the decision followed improvements in tomato supply to local processing factories in Burkina Faso, as well as renewed assurances from stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs before exporting surplus produce.
The development is expected to bring relief to Ghanaian markets, where tomato shortages in recent months have led to rising prices and limited availability, particularly in major urban centres such as Accra and Kumasi. The resumption of exports from Burkina Faso, a key supplier of fresh tomatoes to Ghana, is anticipated to stabilise supply and help moderate prices in the short term.
Government attributed the breakthrough to sustained bilateral engagements between Ghanaian and Burkinabe authorities. Officials highlighted recent discussions between the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her counterparts from Burkina Faso. These talks took place on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference held in Yaoundé, where both parties explored practical solutions to the supply constraints affecting the tomato trade.
According to the ministry, the lifting of the restriction represents a significant outcome of those engagements and reflects a shared commitment by both countries to maintain open and mutually beneficial trade relations. It also signals a willingness to balance domestic industrial priorities with regional trade obligations.
The ministry further indicated that continued collaboration with Burkinabe authorities and private sector actors would be essential to ensuring a smooth and sustainable flow of agricultural goods across the border. This includes maintaining consistent communication, addressing logistical challenges, and aligning export policies with market needs in both countries.
While welcoming the resumption of imports, the Government of Ghana reiterated its commitment to strengthening domestic agricultural production to reduce reliance on external supply over the long term. Officials emphasised that recent disruptions have highlighted structural weaknesses in the local tomato value chain, making it necessary to accelerate reforms and investments in the sector.
Key among these efforts are flagship programmes such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana, which are aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and supporting agro-processing. These initiatives are being intensified to increase yields, improve access to inputs, and enhance the overall resilience of the agricultural sector.
Authorities also pointed to ongoing interventions designed to strengthen the tomato value chain from production to processing. These include irrigation projects intended to support year-round cultivation, thereby reducing the seasonal fluctuations that often lead to supply shortages. By expanding irrigation infrastructure, the government aims to enable farmers to maintain consistent production levels regardless of weather conditions.
In addition, efforts are being made to encourage processors to invest directly in local tomato production through backward integration. This approach is expected to create stronger linkages between farmers and processors, improve raw material availability for factories, and reduce dependence on imported produce.
The ministry further revealed that suitable lands are being identified and made available for large-scale tomato farming. This forms part of a broader strategy to attract investment into the agricultural sector and ensure that both industrial and domestic demand for tomatoes can be met locally.
Beyond production, attention is also being given to improving storage, transportation, and distribution systems to minimise post-harvest losses and enhance market efficiency. These measures are critical to ensuring that increased production translates into stable supply and affordable prices for consumers.
Stakeholders within the agricultural and trading sectors have been urged to support these initiatives by aligning their activities with national development goals. Government stressed that collaboration between farmers, traders, processors, and policymakers will be key to building a more resilient and self-sufficient tomato industry.
The resumption of tomato exports from Burkina Faso is therefore seen not only as a short-term relief measure but also as an opportunity to recalibrate Ghana’s agricultural strategy. By combining immediate supply stabilisation with long-term investment in local production, authorities aim to create a balanced system that protects consumers while promoting sustainable growth.
Ultimately, the government maintains that its broader objective remains the development of a robust agricultural sector capable of meeting national demand and competing effectively within the regional market. The latest development in Ghana-Burkina Faso trade relations represents a positive step in that direction, reinforcing the importance of cooperation, dialogue, and strategic planning in addressing shared economic challenges.
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