Tomato Export Ban is a Strategic Shift Towards Domestic Value Addition- Burkina Faso tells Ghana
Burkina Faso has justified its decision to ban the export of raw tomatoes following attempts by Ghana to strike a mutually beneficial resolution.
It comes after Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, approached representatives of Burkina Faso about the development on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The Minister observed that Ghana sources approximately 70–80% of its tomatoes from Burkina Faso, with an annual import value of roughly $400 million.
She acknowledged the significant challenges this policy poses to Ghana’s tomato supply chain and called for a mutually beneficial resolution that addresses the concerns of both countries.
Reacting to the request, the Burkinabè side explained that the policy seeks to ensure adequate raw material supply for the country’s newly established tomato processing factories.
This represents a strategic shift towards domestic value addition and industrialisation, moving away from the export of raw commodities.
Meanwhile, both parties recognised the value of sustained and constructive dialogue in addressing emerging challenges and committed to deepening collaboration in key areas, including trade expansion, market access, trader security, and agricultural development.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to explore concrete opportunities for increased trade and to resolve any future concerns through continued high-level diplomatic engagement.
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