The Government of Ghana has welcomed the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes, a move expected to improve supply and stabilise prices on the local market.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry on Thursday, April 2, highlighted that the decision follows improvements in tomato supply to processing units in Burkina Faso and commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.
The government noted that the development is a positive step towards easing the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and strengthening food supply stability, particularly in the face of recent shortages.
It further indicated that the outcome reflects the success of ongoing bilateral engagements between Ghana and Burkina Faso, citing a series of high-level meetings held on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
One of such meetings, involving Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and her Burkinabe counterparts, is said to have directly contributed to the lifting of the restriction.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining engagements with Burkinabe authorities and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment between the two countries.
Government also assured the public of its resolve to protect local industries while strengthening the domestic tomato value chain. It emphasised that ongoing programmes such as the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives are being intensified to boost local production, improve yields, and ensure a steady and sustainable supply of tomatoes.
As part of these efforts, targeted interventions are being rolled out across the value chain, including irrigation projects by the Ministry of Agriculture to support year-round tomato production. Engagements with processors are also ongoing to promote backward integration, while lands are being made available for large-scale tomato cultivation to serve both industrial processors and the domestic market.
Tomato traders and industry players have been encouraged to collaborate with government to ensure the continued growth and stability of the sector.
