Ghana has welcomed the decision by Burkina Faso to lift its suspension on fresh tomato exports, a move expected to ease supply constraints and stabilise prices on the local market.
The export ban, which was announced on March 19 by Burkinabé authorities, had exacerbated supply challenges in Ghana, where tomatoes remain a key staple for households and the food industry.
In a statement issued on April 2, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry described the development as a positive outcome of ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries.
The Ministry noted that one of five key meetings held by the Trade Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkinabé counterparts on the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, directly contributed to the lifting of the restriction.
The Ministry assured the public of its commitment to continued collaboration with Burkinabé authorities and local stakeholders to sustain a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment.
It also indicated that efforts to strengthen Ghana’s domestic tomato value chain were being intensified through initiatives such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana, aimed at boosting local production and improving yields.
According to the statement, targeted interventions, including irrigation projects and the allocation of suitable lands for large-scale cultivation, are underway to support year-round production and encourage backward integration with processors.
The Ministry called on tomato traders and industry players to cooperate with government measures designed to protect consumers and support domestic processors.
Government said the steps formed part of a broader strategy to safeguard local industries while promoting sustainable agricultural development.
