The Government of Ghana has welcomed a decision by Burkina Faso to lift its suspension on the export of fresh tomatoes, a move expected to ease supply pressures and stabilise prices on the local market.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, authorities confirmed that the Burkinabe government has resumed the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) following improvements in supply to its domestic processing sector.
The decision was captured in a joint communiqué by relevant authorities in Burkina Faso, citing strengthened commitments by stakeholders to prioritise both local industrial needs and regional trade.
Ghanaian officials say the development is a significant breakthrough in ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries. It follows a series of high-level discussions, including meetings between Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and her Burkinabe counterparts on the sidelines of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
According to the Ministry, the outcome underscores the effectiveness of diplomatic and trade negotiations in resolving supply chain disruptions affecting key food commodities.
The resumption of tomato exports is expected to improve availability on the Ghanaian market, where recent shortages have driven up prices and affected both consumers and agro-processors.
Government has, however, reiterated its commitment to reducing over-reliance on imports by strengthening local production. It says ongoing initiatives such as “Feed the Industry” and “Feed Ghana” are being intensified to boost domestic output and ensure long-term sustainability.
As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Agriculture is rolling out irrigation projects to support year-round tomato farming, while discussions are ongoing with processors to promote backward integration across the value chain.
Authorities also disclosed plans to make suitable land available for large-scale tomato cultivation to supply both industry players and the local market.
The government is urging traders and stakeholders within the sector to collaborate with state institutions to ensure a stable and mutually beneficial trading environment going forward.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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