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Authorities in Burkina Faso have suspended the export of fresh tomatoes, a move expected to worsen supply constraints in Ghana.
In a joint statement issued in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabè government announced an immediate nationwide halt to tomato exports “until further notice,” citing the need to prioritise domestic supply for local processing industries.
The directive, signed by the country’s trade and agriculture ministries, also halts the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE), effectively shutting down formal export channels for tomatoes.
Traders holding existing permits have been granted a two-week window to complete ongoing transactions, after which all authorisations will be revoked.
Authorities warned that any breach of the directive would attract sanctions under existing laws. Seized consignments, the statement added, will be redirected to local processing factories to support domestic agro-industrial production.
Security agencies and border officials have been tasked with enforcing the directive, while the public has been urged to report violations.
The development is expected to have immediate implications for Ghana’s food supply, particularly in key trading hubs such as Techiman, where traders depend heavily on imports from Burkina Faso to supplement local production.
Cross-border tomato trade has long played a crucial role in stabilising prices in Ghanaian markets, especially during periods of low domestic output. However, the trade has faced growing disruption amid 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, underscored the increasing risks associated with 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 analysts warn that tomato prices in Ghana could rise further in the coming weeks, adding pressure on households and traders already grappling with supply challenges.
Source: citinews
