Source: Africa Publicity
Burkina Faso has lifted its ban on the exports of fresh tomatoes to Ghana.
According to the Government of Ghana, the decision, communicated through a Joint Communiqué issued by the relevant Burkinabe authorities, follows improvements in the supply situation to local processing units and firm commitments by stakeholders to ensure adequate availability of tomatoes for domestic industrial use.
Ghana’s Trade Ministry says in a statement on Thursday that “Government welcomes this development, which is expected to ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and contribute to stabilising supply on the local market.”
According to the statement, “This positive outcome also reflects the effectiveness of ongoing bilateral engagements between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Notably, one of the five key bilateral meetings held by Ghana’s Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and her Burkina Faso counterparts on the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has yielded an immediate result with the removal of the restriction on trade in fresh tomatoes.”
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with other relevant state institutions, will continue its engagements with Burkinabe counterparts and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment between the two countries.
Government wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to implementing the necessary measures to safeguard local industries and strengthen the domestic tomato value chain. Efforts are underway and ongoing programmes, including the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives, are being intensified to boost local production, improve yields, and ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes by Ghanaian farmers.
In furtherance of this commitment, Government is rolling out targeted interventions across the value chain, including irrigation projects by the Ministry of Agriculture to support year-round tomato production. Additionally, engagements are ongoing with processors within the tomato value chain to promote backward integration, while suitable lands are being made available for large-scale tomato cultivation to supply both processors and the domestic market.
Tomato traders and all relevant partners are being encouraged to partner Government as it continues to take appropriate steps to protect both consumers and industry players.
