The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has urged stakeholders, including the government, to adequately prepare for the upcoming tomato bumper season to mitigate post-harvest losses.
CAG and its affiliated farmer groups have highlighted the need for increased investment in cold storage and transportation infrastructure to address these challenges. The tomato bumper season, expected to run from late December through April and May 2025, will be at risk without these improvements.
According to CAG, the lack of prioritization for these essential provisions worsens the issue, leading to reliance on imports from countries like Burkina Faso and Morocco.
Ghana experiences approximately $600 million in post-harvest losses annually, with tomato losses alone averaging $60 million. CAG’s CEO, Anthony Selorm Morrison, attributes these losses to neglected rural infrastructure, inadequate cold chain and storage facilities, and insufficient research support.
Morrison emphasized that the government has failed to prioritize the development of necessary infrastructure in rural areas. Poor road networks and unreliable transportation systems hinder the efficient movement of tomatoes from farms to markets.
The absence of adequate storage facilities, despite tomatoes’ perishability, forces farmers to sell their produce quickly at lower prices to avoid spoilage.
With the peak harvest season just three months away, the Chamber is appealing for government assistance to help farmers implement measures that could prevent significant losses.
“The current state of Ghana’s agricultural sector, as exemplified by the tomato industry, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and strategic interventions,” Morrison stated.
He noted, however, that Ghana has the potential to transform its tomato industry by addressing challenges related to varietal suitability, infrastructure deficits, access to inputs and financing, and market development.
While government neglect and policy failures have worsened these critical issues, stakeholders believe that coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and international partners could help Ghana achieve self-sufficiency in tomato production.
Achieving this goal could enable Ghana to become a net exporter, significantly contributing to food security and economic growth.
Ghana currently spends a significant amount of foreign exchange on tomato imports. In 2022, the Vegetable Producers Association of Ghana estimated that the country spends about $400 million annually on importing fresh tomatoes, primarily from Burkina Faso.
This substantial foreign exchange outflow, according to the National Food Buffer Company, highlights the country’s dependence on imports and the urgent need to revitalize and boost local production.
