Tomato imports will persist without boost to local production — scientists warn
Crop research scientists have cautioned that Ghana will continue to rely heavily on imported tomatoes from Burkina Faso and other countries unless decisive steps are taken to boost domestic production.
According to Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei of the CSIR–Crop Research Institute, local tomato farmers are currently unable to produce enough to meet the needs of Ghana’s fast-growing population. He clarified that, despite popular belief, Burkina Faso contributes less than 30 percent of tomato imports, with a larger share coming from Europe and China.
Dr. Osei noted that the steady influx of imported tomatoes has had a damaging effect on local producers, pushing many farmers to stop tomato cultivation and switch to crops such as pepper and rice.
“Upper East used to cultivate tomatoes in large quantity but when they saw the influx of tomatoes from Burkina Faso, most of them changed from tomatoes to cultivation of pepper and rice,” he stressed.
At the same time, tomato farmers in Akomadan in the Ashanti Region—one of the country’s key tomato-producing areas—experienced a glut during the final quarter of 2025. This development has highlighted persistent challenges, including limited access to markets, inadequate processing capacity, and the lack of effective price stabilisation mechanisms, all of which continue to threaten farmers’ livelihoods.
Experts argue that increased investment in processing facilities, improved storage systems, and targeted support for local producers is urgently needed to cut down import dependence and strengthen Ghana’s food security.
source: CNR
