Burkina Faso Tomato Export Ban is ‘Good News’ for Ghana – Expert Urges Government to Seize Opportunity and Boost Local Production

The Chief Executive Officer of Akuafo Nketewa, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, has described Burkina Faso’s recent decision to halt fresh tomato exports to Ghana as a golden opportunity to revive and strengthen the country’s local tomato production capacity.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) with host Winston Amoah, Dr. Nyaaba urged consumers not to panic, insisting the development should instead spur investment and policy focus on Ghana’s tomato farmers.

Seasonal Import Pattern and Historical Self-Sufficiency

Dr. Nyaaba explained that Ghana has long relied on Burkina Faso tomatoes mainly during the lean local season — from December to late April or early May. For the rest of the year (May to December), local farmers supply nearly all the tomatoes consumed in the country.

He stressed that Ghana was once fully self-sufficient in tomato production.

“Some years ago, we didn’t go to Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger or Mali to bring tomatoes. We used to get enough tomatoes in this country, and even the prices were cheaper,” he said.

He dismissed any notion that Burkina Faso tomatoes are inherently superior, noting that climatic and soil conditions in northern Ghana (especially areas like Navrongo) are virtually identical.

“When people talk of Burkina tomatoes or Navrongo tomatoes, there’s no difference. The climate is the same, everything is the same,” Dr. Nyaaba stated.

Root Causes of Decline in Local Production

The Akuafo Nketewa CEO attributed the drop in local tomato farming to several interconnected issues:

• Market failures and unreliable buyers: Processing factories, such as the revived Northern Star Tomato Factory, could absorb only a tiny fraction (about 5%) of the produce farmers were encouraged to grow, leaving many with heavy losses.
• Farmer distress: Some farmers who took loans to expand production suffered severe financial hardship — some even committed suicide — leading many to abandon tomato farming entirely.
• Shift to other crops: Disillusioned farmers turned to pepper, rice, and other crops with more consistent demand.
• Trader preference for imports: Market women and traders frequently bypass local produce in favour of cheaper or more available imports from Burkina Faso, further discouraging farmers.

Path to Self-Sufficiency

Despite these challenges, Dr. Nyaaba expressed strong optimism that Ghana can quickly regain self-sufficiency if targeted support is provided.

He identified two main bottlenecks today:

• Inconsistent water supply (especially during the dry season)
• High cost and limited availability of quality tomato seeds
• He called on the government to prioritise:
• Development of irrigation infrastructure (dams, boreholes, and drip systems)
• Affordable access to certified, high-yielding seeds
• Creation of reliable off-take markets and contracts for farmers

“As long as government comes in to support us — develop the dams and provide the seeds — I’m sure within a year or two, we will regret that we’ve been going to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes,” he predicted.

‘Good News’ for Farmers and a Wake-Up Call

Dr. Nyaaba described the export ban as “good news” for local farmers, arguing it could finally force policymakers to address long-standing neglect in the tomato sector.

“For the farmers, it’s good news. This is the time for government to turn its attention to us. The tomato sector has been neglected for too long,” he said.

He criticised the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s past interventions, which he said have disproportionately focused on rice, poultry, cocoa, and cashew — leaving tomato farmers with little support.

While acknowledging that tomato prices may rise temporarily due to the supply gap in the current lean season, Dr. Nyaaba assured the public that the issue would not persist long-term.

“There will be a short gap, and prices may go up, but this will not be a long-term problem,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming the readiness of Ghanaian farmers:

“We are ready to produce. If government helps us develop the infrastructure and create the right market conditions, we will produce enough, and we won’t need to go to Burkina Faso.”