Ghana has welcomed Burkina Faso’s decision to lift the suspension on Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the move is expected to ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana, stabilizing the local market supply and benefiting domestic industrial use.
The Ministry noted that the decision follows improvements in the supply situation to local processing units and commitments by stakeholders to ensure adequate tomato availability for domestic industries.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjei highlighted that the development reflects effective bilateral engagements between Ghana and Burkina Faso, particularly discussions at the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, which resulted in the removal of restrictions on fresh tomato trade.
Ministry pledged to continue engaging with Burkinabe counterparts and stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its local tomato value chain through measures like the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives, aimed at boosting local production and improving yields.
Government initiatives include irrigation projects to support year-round tomato production, promoting backward integration with processors, and making suitable lands available for large-scale tomato cultivation to supply both processors and the domestic market.
Tomato traders and partners are encouraged to collaborate with the government to protect consumers and industry players as it takes steps to strengthen the domestic tomato industry.
