Ghana and Burkina Faso lift mutual trade restrictions on tomatoes

Ghana and Burkina Faso have agreed to resume fresh tomato trade last month following high-level talks aimed at resolving trade restrictions between the two countries.

The agreement was reached during meetings on July 17 involving Ghana’s ministers responsible for trade and agriculture, alongside representatives from Burkina Faso and the private sector. Both countries also agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to address future trade concerns and work towards a bilateral trade agreement to reduce barriers and improve market access.

Burkina Faso had suspended the issuance of Special Export Authorizations for fresh tomatoes on March 19 to prioritise supplies for its domestic processing industry. The move contributed to shortages and higher tomato prices in Ghana. The restriction was lifted in early April following discussions during the WTO’s fourteenth Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, but further restrictions later prompted a new round of negotiations.

The two governments said the agreement reflects broader trade relations between the neighbouring countries. Ghana’s exports to Burkina Faso increased from US$573 million in 2024 to US$637 million in 2025, highlighting the importance of maintaining cross-border agricultural trade. Officials said the Joint Technical Committee is intended to help resolve future issues through dialogue and support continued trade between the two countries.