Tomato traders and importers in Accra have issued warning regarding a potential shortage and a sharp increase in tomato prices following a deadly terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.
On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Islamist militants ambushed a truck carrying Ghanaian traders in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals.
This tragic event has disrupted the cross-border supply chain, as Burkina Faso remains Ghana’s primary source for fresh tomatoes during the lean season.
The risks associated with the Burkina Faso trade route have forced the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association to formally announce a suspension of imports. Association Chairman, Mr. Eric Osei Tuffour, described the killings as a major setback, noting that traders are now reconsidering their travel plans due to a lack of security beyond the Paga border.
Veteran importer Esther Owusu Ansah emphasized that without government protection, many drivers will stop traveling altogether to protect their lives and families.
The highly dependency on imports has exposed a structural gap in Ghana’s agricultural policy. Tomato traders like Adwoa Pinnaman are now calling for urgent government investment in local irrigation infrastructure and dams to support year-round domestic production.
Currently, Ghana’s annual tomato demand is estimated at 800,000 metric tonnes, but local output remains extremely low, between 370,000 and 420,000 metric tonnes. This deficit, combined with post-harvest losses of up to 50%, has left the market vulnerable to external security shocks in 2026.
As of February 18, 2026, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has endorsed the suspension of trade to allow for a comprehensive security assessment. The price surge is expected to hit consumers in the coming weeks as existing stocks deplete.
