We buy from Burkina because ours rot fast - Tomato traders defend import dependence

Eric Tuffour, President of the Tomato Importers Association, defended Ghanaian traders' reliance on tomatoes from Burkina Faso, speaking on Joy News' PM Express, citing durability concerns with local produce. He said traders are driven by survival and market realities, not preference. According to Mr. Tuffour, "The Ghanaian tomato was too watery, and when you travel with it, it doesn't take long for it to deteriorate." He also stated, "That is why we all tend to buy from there, because what the Ghanaian farmers were producing wasn't favouring the traders and the variety they produced wasn't good for Ghanaian consumption."

Mr. Tuffour's comments follow Burkina Faso's decision to suspend all fresh tomato exports. The move is aimed at protecting its domestic processing sector from supply shortages. Some traders were recently caught in violence in Titao, where suspected terrorist attacks claimed lives, including women involved in the trade. Mr. Tuffour said the fragility of Ghanaian tomatoes makes them risky for long-distance transport, stating, "Even if there is a breakdown of a vehicle for even just a day, by the time you get to the market centre, the tomato starts getting rotten." He contrasted this with tomatoes sourced from Burkina Faso, which he said are more resilient and commercially viable, noting, "The Burkinabe one was harder, and the life span of the tomato was good. You can keep it for a longer time."

The decision by Burkina Faso has left many Ghanaian traders stranded, especially those operating along cross-border routes.