The National Tomato Traders and Transport Association has welcomed the decision by the Burkina Faso government to lift its ban on fresh tomato exports.
Eric Tuffour, Head of the Association, noted that while the news is encouraging, specific measures must be adopted to prevent the reinstatement of the ban in the future.
He indicated that under the new agreement, tomato traders and drivers in Ghana must limit their import volumes to ensure that processing factories within Burkina Faso receive an adequate supply of fresh tomatoes.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Tuffour explained that before the ban was lifted, value chain industry players and officials from the Ghanaian government engaged in negotiations where these key agreements were reached.
He further clarified the historical context of the dispute, noting that before the processing factories were established, farmers primarily grew their produce for export.
According to Mr. Tuffour, farmers received higher returns from exports; consequently, once the factories began operations, the farmers continued to prioritise the export market over local processing needs, which originally prompted the government’s intervention.
“We have reached agreements with the farmers. The farmers are to provide some fresh tomatoes to the factories for processing while we also limit our imports. In the past, we could import any quantity we wanted, but that is no longer the case. Because the Burkina Faso government wants about half of the tomatoes for processing, we have to also agree to that. If not, we will get to a point where the ban will be reinstated. So as traders, if we don’t agree to these new arrangements, we may face challenges.”
Mr. Tuffour assured stakeholders that these restrictions would not create supply challenges or lead to price hikes.
He added that the association will meet to establish new protocols, ensuring that the current arrangements are strictly followed to maintain a stable trade relationship and prevent another ban.
He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Trade and Agribusiness, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and Food and Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, for their interventions following the announcement of the ban.
However, he was quick to add that Ghana must adopt measures in the immediate term to plant the specific varieties of tomatoes currently imported from Burkina Faso and other countries.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana