Tomatoes Prices Soar in Accra After Burkina Faso Incident

Tomato prices in Accra have surged sharply over the past few days, following an incident in Burkina Faso that disrupted the steady supply of fresh tomatoes into Ghana.

Market surveys across major trading centres in Accra, including Agbogbloshie, Mallam Atta and Madina, show that a crate of tomatoes now sells for between GH¢1,500 and GH¢2,000, up from an average of GH¢800 to GH¢1,000 just two weeks ago. Retail prices have also jumped, with consumers paying significantly more for smaller quantities.

Traders attribute the sudden spike to interruptions along the Burkina Faso–Ghana supply route, which accounts for a large portion of tomatoes consumed in southern Ghana, especially during periods when local production is low. According to wholesalers, delays and reduced inflows from Burkina Faso have tightened supply, pushing prices upward almost overnight.

“Most of the tomatoes we sell here come from Burkina Faso. Once there is a problem there, we feel it immediately,” a trader at Agbogbloshie market told reporters. “The supply has reduced, but demand remains high.”

Consumers are already feeling the impact, as tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many Ghanaian dishes. Some households say they have been forced to reduce consumption or switch to alternatives such as canned tomatoes, which are also beginning to see price increases.

Agricultural analysts note that Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported fresh tomatoes—particularly from Burkina Faso—makes local markets vulnerable to external shocks. They have renewed calls for increased investment in irrigation, storage facilities and value-chain support for local tomato farmers to stabilise supply and prices.

For now, traders warn that prices may remain high unless the situation in Burkina Faso normalises or alternative supply sources are secured. Consumers in Accra may therefore have to brace for continued pressure on their food budgets in the coming weeks.