Traders urge government to revive local tomato production

By Prince Antwi June 29, 2026

Tomato traders at the Asafo and Roman Hill markets in Kumasi are calling on the government to take urgent steps to revitalise Ghana’s tomato industry, saying increased investment is needed to boost year-round production, reduce imports and stabilise market prices.

The traders believe strengthening local tomato production would ensure a steady supply throughout the year, improve market opportunities for farmers and traders, and enhance the country’s food security.

In separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), they explained that although Kumasi remains a key hub for tomato trading, declining domestic production has forced many traders to depend on imports from neighbouring countries, especially during periods of shortage.

According to the traders, this year’s scarcity has been aggravated by heavy rains that destroyed tomato farms in major producing areas, reducing harvests and pushing prices sharply higher. They added that the situation has become even more challenging as traders who previously sourced tomatoes from Burkina Faso are no longer able to do so.

They attributed the decline in local production to high production costs, recurring pest and disease outbreaks, inadequate irrigation systems and unpredictable weather, all of which have discouraged many farmers from cultivating tomatoes.

Ama Agyeiwaa, a trader at Asafo Market, said the shortage is affecting not only traders but also restaurants, chop bars, food vendors and households that rely on fresh tomatoes daily.

She appealed to the government to expand irrigation facilities in major tomato-growing communities to enable year-round farming and reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall.

She also called for the provision of improved disease-resistant seeds and affordable fertilisers to help farmers increase yields and improve the quality of their produce.

Another trader, Ataa Yaa, urged the government to invest in technologies that would make tomato cultivation possible even during the rainy season.

“Tomatoes are an essential ingredient in almost every household, so we need innovative farming methods that will guarantee continuous production throughout the year,” she said.

The traders also appealed for better road infrastructure connecting farming communities to major markets, saying improved roads would lower transportation costs and reduce post-harvest losses.

They further called for the establishment of modern cold storage facilities to preserve tomatoes during periods of bumper harvests and minimise spoilage.

In addition, they advocated investment in a vibrant tomato processing industry to create a ready market for farmers and protect them against price fluctuations when production is high.

The traders also urged financial institutions to introduce affordable credit facilities for tomato farmers and market women to help them expand their businesses and improve productivity along the value chain.

They encouraged young people to venture into commercial tomato farming, arguing that increased government support through mechanisation, irrigation and access to financing would make the sector more profitable and attractive.

They further recommended backyard tomato cultivation as a practical way for households to supplement supplies during periods of scarcity.

Finally, the traders appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strengthen agricultural extension services by providing farmers with training in climate-smart agriculture, modern production techniques, and effective pest and disease control.

They stressed that closer collaboration among farmers, traders, processors and transport operators would help improve efficiency across the tomato value chain and ensure a reliable supply of tomatoes throughout the year.