Burkina Faso halts tomato exports, tightens supply to Ghana

Burkina Faso has suspended all fresh tomato exports with immediate effect, a development expected to affect supply to Ghana.

The decision was announced in a joint communiqué issued on March 16, 2026, and signed by the Minister of Commerce, Mr Serge Gnaniodem Poda, and the Minister of Agriculture, Commandant Ismaël Sombié. The directive applies across the country and covers all operators involved in the export of fresh tomatoes. The issuance of Special Export Authorisations has also been suspended.

Traders holding valid permits have been given two weeks to complete existing shipments, after which all authorisations will be cancelled. Authorities said breaches would attract sanctions, while seized produce would be redirected to local processing factories.

The move forms part of Burkina Faso’s plan to expand domestic tomato processing. The country’s processing firm, SOBTO, began operations at a plant in Dogona in November 2024, with a capacity of six tonnes per hour. A second facility in Tenkodogo, which is more than 70 per cent complete, is expected to begin operations in March 2026.

The development comes after an attack on Ghanaian traders in February 2026. Seven traders were killed and several others injured when armed militants ambushed them in Titao, a town in northern Burkina Faso, during a routine trip.

Ghana imports more than 400 million dollars’ worth of tomatoes annually from Burkina Faso. About 90 per cent of Burkina Faso’s tomato exports are destined for the Ghanaian market.

In February 2026, Ghana introduced a National Tomato Production Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. The plan seeks to reduce tomato paste imports from over 100 million dollars annually to 20 million dollars by 2030. It also aims to increase the share of locally produced tomatoes used by processors from seven per cent to 85 per cent.

Northern Ghana serves as a main entry point for produce from Burkina Faso.