“The exportation of fresh tomatoes is suspended across the entire national territory until further notice,” stated Industry Minister Serge Gnaniodem Poda during a recent announcement.
The ban, effective immediately, aims to guarantee supply to national processing factories, which have been increasingly prioritized by the government. This decision comes as Burkina Faso seeks to bolster its local manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on raw commodity exports.
According to the joint communiqué issued on March 16 by the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Agriculture, the ban applies to all exporters, including businesses and individuals. Existing Special Export Authorisations will remain valid for only two weeks following the announcement.
Officials have indicated that tomatoes seized from illegal exports will be redirected to local processing facilities, further supporting domestic production. This move is particularly significant as Ghana imports over US$400 million worth of tomatoes annually from Burkina Faso, with around 90 percent of Burkinabè tomato exports directed to the Ghanaian market.
The Burkina Faso Tomato Company (SOBTO) has been proactive in this sector, having launched a processing facility in Dogona in November 2024, with a second plant in Tenkodogo set to begin operations in March 2026. Currently, this facility has a processing capacity of six tons per hour and is expected to play a crucial role in meeting local demand.
The government’s decision to impose the export ban reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments are increasingly intervening in commodity exports to stabilize domestic industries. This trend is evident in Ghana’s strategy to reduce its tomato paste imports from US$100 million to US$20 million by 2030, aiming to increase the percentage of locally grown tomatoes used by processors from 7 percent to 85 percent.
Officials warned that violations of the export ban will attract sanctions under existing laws, emphasizing the seriousness of the government’s commitment to this initiative. As the situation develops, further updates are expected regarding the impact of this ban on both local and regional markets.
