Ghana faces tomato shortage as Burkina Faso suspends exports

Authorities in Burkina Faso have suspended the export of fresh tomatoes, a development expected to deepen supply challenges in Ghana.

In a joint statement issued in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabè government announced an immediate nationwide halt to tomato exports “until further notice,” explaining that the move is intended to prioritise domestic supply for local processing industries.

The directive, signed by the country’s trade and agriculture ministries, also suspends the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE), effectively shutting down formal export channels for tomatoes.

Traders with existing permits have been granted a two-week window to complete ongoing transactions, after which all authorisations will be revoked.

The government warned that any breach of the directive would attract sanctions under existing laws, adding that seized consignments would be redirected to local processing factories to support domestic agro-industrial production.

Security agencies and border officials have been tasked to enforce the directive, while the public has been encouraged to report violations.

The decision is expected to have immediate implications for Ghana’s food supply, particularly in major trading hubs such as Techiman, where traders rely heavily on imports from Burkina Faso to supplement local production.

Cross-border tomato trade has long played a critical role in stabilising prices in Ghanaian markets, especially during periods of low domestic output. However, the trade has faced increasing disruption due to insecurity in the Sahel region.

In February 2026, seven Ghanaian tomato traders were killed and others injured in an ambush by armed militants in the northern Burkinabè town of Titao. The attack, which occurred during a routine trading trip, highlighted the growing risks facing cross-border commerce.

Following the incident, the Ghana Armed Forces evacuated the injured to Accra, while authorities cautioned citizens against travelling to high-risk areas.

With the latest export ban, market watchers warn that tomato prices in Ghana could rise further in the coming weeks, placing additional pressure on households and traders already grappling with supply constraints.

CitiNewsRoom